Title-chasing Inter Milan held to draw by lowly Cagliari

Updated: Apr 14, 2024, 06:12 pm

Runaway leaders Inter Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by struggling Cagliari after substitute Nicolas Viola equalised for the visitors late in the Serie A game on Sunday.

With six games left Inter, who have 83 points from 32 games, hold a 14-point advantage over second-placed AC Milan, who drew 3-3 at relegation-threatened Sassuolo earlier on Sunday.

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Inter can still secure their 20th Italian championship in the Milan derby if they beat Stefano Pioli's side on April 22.

"We're disappointed by a missed victory, we took the lead twice and wanted to take the match home," Inter coach Simone Inzaghi told a press conference.

"But we know that Monday (April 22) is the first big opportunity, we are close to a goal that we all want to reach.

"We are thinking about an objective which we've had in mind since July 13... We must not let our guard down."

Forward Marcus Thuram gave Inter the lead with from close range in the 12th minute before Cagliari levelled through forward Eldor Shomurodov after the break.

Inter Milan were held to a draw by Cagliari as the pursue the Serie A title.
Inter Milan were held to a draw by Cagliari as the pursue the Serie A title.
Getty Images

Hakan Calhanoglu restored the lead for the hosts in the 74th with a penalty given for handball by Yerry Mina, but Cagliari levelled again seven minutes from time when Viola struck.

Inter started strongly and Alexis Sanchez set up forward Thuram for the Frenchman to give them the early lead from close range.

It was his 11th league goal this term, but his first in two months since opening the scoring in a 4-0 win over Salernitana.

Nicolo Barella thought he had doubled Inter's lead with a stunning header before the half-hour mark but it was ruled out for offside.

Cagliari equalised in the 64th minute when Zito Luvumbo collected a long-range pass into the box and set up Shomurodov, who scored from the edge of the area into the bottom corner.

Inter got back on track when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Yerry Mina and Calhanoglu fired a precise low spot kick into the corner past goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.

However, Cagliari found another equaliser seven minutes from time when Viola struck from near the penalty spot.

Replays showed that the ball possibly deflected into Viola's path after it came off Gianluca Lapadula's arm.

Inter had won their previous five Serie A matches against Cagliari by an aggregate score of 13-2.