Giannetti is presented with one final opportunity to try and test Handanovic, but, despite doing well to latch onto a curling cross from Cigarini, he's unable to hit the target and sends his headed effort high over the top of the crossbar.
90' +4
Éder enters the game and replaces M. Icardi.
Inter have made a late substitution, and it's Icardi who makes way for Eder up front.
90' +2
Giannetti gets himself involved in the thick of the action once again, but this time he avoids picking up a second yellow card. He bursts into the penalty area and tries to latch onto a lofted pass, but he ends up running into Joao Miranda and totally flattens the Brazilian centre-back.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of added time.
89'
N. Giannetti gets yellow.
Ouch! Giannetti has only been on the pitch for a few moments but he's already earned himself a booking for a late and slightly cynical challenge on Valero.
88'
A loose ball isn't fully dealt with by the Cagliari defence and bounces down to Icardi on the edge of the penalty area. The Inter captain quickly shoots as he tries to wrap up his hat-trick, but he can't quite beat Rafael and sees his thumping strike saved confidently by the goalkeeper.
87'
N. Giannetti enters the game and replaces L. Pavoletti.
Cagliari have made their third and final alteration of the game, with Niccolo Giannetti coming on to replace Pavoletti, who put in a good shift.
86'
João Cancelo enters the game and replaces A. Candreva.
Candreva makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Joao Cancelo for the final four minutes of the game.
85'
Some of the Cagliari players weren't happy with what they thought was a push on Rafael in the build-up to the goal, but after consulting the VAR, the referee doesn't see anything in their complaints and allows the goal to stand.
83'
M. Icardi has scored a goal for Inter Milan!
GOAL! It's Icardi yet again! D'Ambrosio picks up the ball over on the right-hand side of the Cagliari box and quickly fizzes a pass across the face of goal, where it's met by Farago. The wing-back can only send the ball looping up into the air, and it then deflects back to Icardi to fire in Inter's third goal of the night.
Minute
Description
82'
A. Cossu enters the game and replaces JP Galvão.
Cagliari have made a late alteration, with Joao Pedro making way for Andrea Cossu.
81'
R. Gagliardini gets yellow.
An Inter attack breaks down and allows Cagliari to try and hit their opponents on the break, but Barella is cynically brought crashing to the ground from behind by Roberto Gagliardini and the midfielder becomes the latest player to be booked.
80'
What a chance for Farias! A lofted pass is fired into the Inter penalty area and manages to pick out Farias, who made a good run forward to meet it. The substitute quickly tries to shoot, but he can't make decent contact with the ball and knocks it safely into the hands of Handanovic.
79'
Barella, who has arguably been one of Cagliari's better players this evening, breaks down the right wing as he tries to carve out a pocket of space in which to cross. It looks as if he's done so after nutmegging Borja Valero, but he can't quite keep the ball from rolling behind for a goal-kick.
77'
Perisic brings the ball down well over on the left-hand side of the home side's penalty area and quickly skips past his marker. He does well to break into the box and fire a low cross towards goal, but it's sent too near to Rafael and the goalkeeper is able to parry the ball away from danger.
75'
Farias picks up the ball in the middle of the pitch and immediately embarks on a great run forward. He weaves his way through a sea of white shirts and looks set to penetrate the penalty area, but just as he's about to do so, Joao Miranda dispossesses him with an excellent sliding tackle.
73'
Candreva bursts down the right wing after latching onto another brilliant lofted pass from Skriniar. He then tries to cut the ball back to a team-mate on the edge of the Cagliari box, but he can't quite find anyone and loses out to Ceppitelli.
71'
L. Pavoletti has scored a goal for Cagliari! Assist by P. Faragò.
That was really good play by Farago, who has done well when presented with space over on the right flank. It's arguably been Cagliari's best attacking avenue, and it's one they're likely to continue targeting for the rest of the game.
GOAL! Cagliari have pulled one back! Farago, who has impressed over on the right wing, gets himself into a great position out wide and quickly curls a beautiful cross into the penalty area. It perfectly picks out Pavoletti, who then unleashes a wonderful first-time volley that easily beats Handanovic. Game on!
69'
A determined attack from Cagliari looks like it could result in a chance on goal after good play from the home side inside the final third of the pitch, but Barella can't quite pick out a team-mate on the edge of the box and Inter just about hold on.
67'
Icardi steps up and shoots from the well-placed free-kick, but his curling strike is a poor one and deflects off the wall of red and blue shirts camped in front of him. Inter are then forced into playing the ball all the way back to Handanovic, who tries to kick-start another attack over on the left wing.
66'
L. Ceppitelli gets yellow.
Great run by Icardi! Another Cagliari attacking move fails to come to anything, allowing Inter to counter-attack quickly. Icardi bursts through the middle of the pitch on a wonderful run as he tries to make his way into the box, but he's unable to do so and eventually wins his side a free-kick in a dangerous position after being hauled to the ground by Ceppitelli.
64'
Diego Farias enters the game and replaces A. Ioniţă.
Cagliari have made a change as they try to get back into the game, with Diego Farias coming on to take the place of Ionita.
63'
Inter's goal seems to have had an understandable impact on Cagliari, who aren't looking as sharp as they were earlier in the half. It's now the Nerazzurri who are impressing when in possession, with the home side struggling to carve out any chances on goal.
61'
An attempted Cagliari attack fails to come to anything and the visitors are able to counter-attack once again. The move is similar the one that resulted in their second goal of the game, but Perisic is unable to hit the target with his first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area and sends it rolling comfortably wide of the goal.
59'
Icardi charges into the hosts' box and does well to latch onto a lofted pass forward. It brings the ball down nicely and then manages to get a shot away, but it's closed down well and fails to test Rafael.
57'
Inter quickly win the ball back from the restart and do well to earn themselves a corner over on the left wing. It's poorly hit, however, and they're unable to carve out a chance on goal as they go in search of a third goal.
55'
M. Brozović has scored a goal for Inter Milan! Assist by A. Candreva.
GOAL! Inter have doubled their lead! Once again, the Nerazzurri find themselves on the back foot but are able to score with a great goal on the break. Skriniar fires a wonderful lofted pass down the right flank that picks out Candreva, who cuts the ball back to Brozovic and sets up the substitute to fire in from the edge of the penalty area. The home fans are stunned!
That was really good play by Candreva to pick up the ball before setting up Brozovic, but once again Cagliari will be thoroughly disappointed with their defending, as they left far too many pockets of space available in and around their penalty area.
53'
M. Brozović enters the game and replaces M. Vecino.
Vecino looks to have picked up an injury after going down off the ball, and he's forced off to be replaced by Marcelo Brozovic.
52'
Cigarini steps up and curls a decent cross towards the near post, but Inter have plenty of bodies back and do well to deal with the danger. As was the case at the start of the evening, Inter find themselves camped deep inside their own half of the pitch.
51'
It's all Cagliari at the moment as they continue dominating possession. Once again, Barella and Farago link up well before the latter fires in a cross that's cleared only as far as Romagna, who then wins his side a corner over on the right wing.
50'
Barella picks up the ball on the halfway line and immediately fires a lofted pass straight into the feet of Paolo Farago over on the right-hand side of the Inter box. He then side-foots a dangerous volleyed cross into the middle of the penalty area, where the visitors are just about able to deal with the danger before a chance on goal can be created.
48'
Early chance for Cagliari! Padoin cuts inside from the left flank and takes on D'Ambrosio, who pushes the wing-back to the ground and gives a free-kick. It's sent short and worked over to Barella, who unleashes a thumping low strike that deflects just wide of the far post and behind for a corner. That didn't miss by much!
46'
We're underway once again!
45'
Inter try to push forward on one final attacking move before the half-time, but they're unable to do so quickly enough and the referee decides to bring an end to the first half without any additional time.
44'
Not far away by Santon! The full-back is left all alone in a pocket of space just outside of the Cagliari penalty area, allowing him to pull the trigger. His shot is a decent one, and it bounces just a few yards wide of the far post after giving Rafael plenty to think about.
42'
Cagliari are caught in posession deep inside their own half of the pitch and are forced into blasting the ball out for a throw-in. It pinballs around the edge of the hosts' box before Davide Santon is able to fire a low cross into the penalty area, where it's just about deflected away from Icardi before the captain can shoot.
40'
Pavoletti is still trying to catch out the Inter back line with quick runs into the penalty area. He almost manages to get the better of them as he attempts to latch onto a lofted pass, but his run is slightly mistimed and the linesman's flag is quickly raised.
38'
Ball after ball is being fired into the Inter penalty area as Cagliari try to find a way back into the game. All are well dealt with by the visitors, however, and a deflected pass from Barella eventually loops safely into the hands of Handanovic.
36'
What a chance for Icardi to make it 2-0! Matias Vecino charges down the right wing and does really well to get himself into a pocket of space out wide. He then fires a great curling cross past the outstretched limbs of Rafael and over to Icardi, who tries his hardest to get a shot away but, off balance, isn't able to do so.
34'
A deflected cross from deep down the right wing initially looks as if it's going to cause a few problems for Handanovic, but the Inter goalkeeper does well to latch onto the ball before it can find a Cagliari player in front of goal.
32'
Space opens up for Ionita over on the left wing after an Inter attack fails to come to anything. He then launches a deep cross into the penalty area and towards Pavoletti, who tries his hardest to latch onto the ball but isn't quite able to do so.
31'
Cagliari quickly lose the ball from the restart and Inter push forward on another determined attack. They do well to win themselves a corner over on the left flank, but it fails to result in a chance on goal after a foul is committed as the players battle for the ball.
29'
M. Icardi has scored a goal for Inter Milan! Assist by I. Perišić.
That was good play by Perisic to pick up the ball in front of goal, but Cagliari will be disappointed with their defending. Icardi was able to slip away from his marker and latched onto the ball too easily.
GOAL! Largely against the run of play, Inter take the lead! A wonderful curling cross from Candreva sails into the heart of the hosts' box and manages to pick out Icardi, who sticks out a foot and pokes the ball back to Mauro Icardi. The in-form Argentine quickly shoots, and his thumping strike leaves Rafael with no chance whatsoever.
28'
After a tough start to the game in which they spent most of their time on the back foot, Inter are now starting to find some joy inside the Cagliari half of the pitch. They're moving the ball nicely from one flank to the other, and they're beginning to carve out pockets of space for themselves.
26'
It's been a tough start to the game for Antonio Candreva, who has found it difficult to get himself in space over on the right flank. He's finally able to do so after Inter break forward quickly, but he can't find Icardi inside the Cagliari box and has to settle for a corner that fails to result in a chance on goal.
24'
More good play by Cagliari sees Barella cut inside from the right wing and try to poke a pass into the Inter penalty area. He manages to do so after shaking off his marker, but he can't pick out a team-mate in front of goal and the ball bounces behind for a goal-kick.
22'
The home side do well again out wide as they pile plenty of bodies inside the Inter half of the pitch. A well-placed cross then manages to pick out Pavoletti, but the striker can't get the better of Handanovic and fails to test the goalkeeper with his downward header.
20'
Cagliari keep pushing forward after bringing an end to a poor Inter attacking move. Once again the hosts go long as they try to pick out Pavoletti in front of goal, but this time Handanovic rushes out to deal with the danger with a header on the edge of the penalty area.
18'
Another great opportunity for Pavoletti! Once again a lofted pass forward causes problems for Inter and sets up the striker to shoot, and it forces Handanovic into making another smart diving save. Cagliari really have started well!
16'
What a chance for Pavoletti! A lovely cross is fired over to the left-hand side of the Inter box and manages to pick out the striker in a pocket of space in front of goal. He meets it well and only has Handanovic to beat, but the goalkeeper ends up pulling off a great save to deny the number 30 the opening goal of the game.
15'
It's been a slightly underwhelming start to the game for Inter, who have struggled to cause many problems for the home side. Ivan Perisic is eventually able to sprint down the left wing and into a good position near to the byline, but he can't quite cross and has to settle for a corner after being closed down by Ceppitelli.
14'
Joao Pedro steps up and shoots, but the forward's curling strike fails to beat the wall camped in front of him and Inter are comfortably able to hold and deal with the danger without too many issues.
13'
Miranda gets yellow.
A poor attempted clearance from deep down the right flank can only find Filippo Romagna, setting up the defender to shoot. He does so, and his thumping effort smashes into the hand of Joao Miranda not far outside of the Inter penalty area. The Cagliari players immediately scream for a free-kick, and it's quickly given by the referee, who also books the Brazilian defender.
11'
Danilo D'Ambrosio stretches and catches Artur Ionita with a poorly timed challenge, resulting in a free-kick for Cagliari in a promising position. It's sent short and worked over to Padoin, who swings in a cross but fails to pick out a team-mate in front of goal.
9'
A hopeful ball is thumped forward at the end of an attempted Inter attacking move, and it's one that should be dealt with easily enough by the hosts' defence. They're initially not able to do so, however, but Joao Pedro is eventually knocked off the ball by Skriniar, who then charges forward and away from danger.
7'
Nicolo Barella gets himself into a good position out wide and swings a dangerous cross into the Inter box. Once again, it's well met by Joao Pedro, but the striker can't quite get the ball under control quickly enough and is just about dispossessed by Skriniar at the vital moment.
5'
Great chance for Luca Ceppitelli! Cagliari keep pushing forward as they continue to enjoy a good start to the game, and Leonardo Pavoletti does well to win his side another corner over on the right wing. It's swung in by Luca Cigarini and picks out Ceppitelli, who rises high but can't guide his towering header towards goal.
3'
Early chance for Joao Pedro! Simone Padoin is left all alone over on the left flank, allowing him to charge down the wing before delivering a well-placed cross into the penalty area. It's met by well by Joao Pedro, who spins and shoots, but the Brazilian can't make decent contact with the ball and knocks it straight into the hands of Handanovic.
2'
Cagliari quickly push forward straight from the start and do well to carve out an early corner after putting Samir Handanovic under plenty of pressure. The corner is a good one and curls towards the near post, but Milan Skriniar is there to nod the ball behind before it can pick out a red and blue shirt.
1'
We're off! Cagliari get us underway, attacking from right to left.
A brilliant start to the season could get even better for Inter, who will temporarily move to the top of the table if they’re victorious this evening. They’ve looked thoroughly impressive under Luciano Spalletti, and they head into tonight’s clash unbeaten in all 13 of their league games and with three victories from their previous four outings.
Atalanta were the latest side to get swatted aside by the Nerazzurri, with in-form Mauro Icardi managing to score both of his side’s goals to make sure all three points went to an impressive Inter team. The Argentine now has 13 from as many Serie A games, and he’ll certainly be the one to watch this evening as Spalletti’s men go in search of yet another victory.
It could end up being a slightly difficult night for them, however, as Cagliari have improved in recent weeks and start the night with three wins from their last five games. Two of those may have come against bottom sides Hellas Verona and Benevento, but there’s no doubt the Rossoblu have turned a corner and are looking better than they did earlier in the season.
They’re yet to enjoy a victory against a team from the top half of the table, however, with the likes of Juventus, Milan, Napoli and Lazio all managing to get the better of them so far. Cagliari are also one of only four sides yet to draw a single Serie A game this season, hinting that, whatever happens, one of these teams will be leaving with all three points later tonight.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Inter XI (4-2-3-1): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, Joao Miranda, Santon; Vecino, Gagliardini; Candreva, Valero, Perisic; Icardi.
Diego Lopez has decided to name an unchanged Cagliari side to the one that started the win against Udinese last weekend, with Leonardo Pavoletti and Joao Pedro, who scored the game’s only goal, once again leading the line.
Meanwhile, Inter boss Luciano Spalletti has also named an unchanged side to the one that featured in their last outing, with largely out of favour left-back Davide Santon starting back-to-back league games for the first time in almost a year.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: CAGLIARI 0-1 INTER
Inter haven't been at their best, but they're nonetheless able to head into the break with a one-goal break that - for now - would take them top of the table. It was a well-worked goal finished off by in-form striker Icardi, but it largely came against the run of play. Cagliari will be frustrated about that, as they've certainly looked dangerous inside the visitors' half of the pitch.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
Cagliari substitutes: Van der Wiel, Dessena, Cossu, Giannetti, Miangue, Farias, Pisacane, Capuano, Crosta, Cragno, Melchiorri.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Serie A game between Cagliari and Inter at the Sardegna Arena.
FULL-TIME: CAGLIARI 1-3 INTER
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and brings an end to a game that Inter never looked like losing once they'd gone ahead. Cagliari fought hard throughout and will be disappointed to leave empty handed, but they can take a lot of positives into their next league outing as they attempt to continue their climb up the table.
As for Inter, yet another victory means they now sit top of Serie A - at least for now, anyway. Their unbeaten start to the season goes on, and even though they weren't at their free-flowing best inside the hosts' half of the pitch, it was nonetheless a very determined and clever performance from the in-form Nerazzurri.
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