Inter 3-0 Torino - a record season Sunday, 27 May 2007 16:59:56 MILAN - Italian champions Inter defeated Torino at the Meazza to end the Serie A season with 97 points and surpass Chelsea's record for one edition of a top European league. Italy defender Marco Materazzi scored from the spot after 12 minutes to take his tally for the season into double figures. Maicon scored a peach of a goal after the restart before Figo wrapped up the 3-0 win with another penalty. Massimo Moratti watched the match sat next to Roberto Mancini on the Inter bench instead of in his usual seat in the Tribune of Honour. The Inter president witnessed a first half of Nerazzurri domination, with Figo, Maicon and Maxwell sending in cross after cross from the flanks. Inter were a goal to the good on 12 minutes when Materazzi blasted past Taibi from the penalty spot after a foul by the Torino goalkeeper on Mariano Gonzalez to bring his tally for the season into double figures. On the half hour, Gonzalez slalomed through the Torino defence but failed to apply the final touch for a sure second goal. The Granata, who secured Serie A safety last weekend, created little in the way of scoring chances in the opening period, with Di Loreto having a central shot easily saved by Toldo before he blasted into the Curva Nord from 25 yards. Inter could have been 2-0 up on the stroke of half time but Crespo just failed to flick home Maxwell's dangerous inswinger from the left. The pace dropped considerably in the opening stages of second half. Maicon upped it fifteen minutes in with a splendid effort - his third of the season after goals against Sampdoria and Valencia. The Brazilian drilled left-footed into the far corner after a darting run into the box. Figo added the third on 67 minutes, firing past Taibi from the penalty spot after a Brevi trip on Mariano Gonzalez to make it two goals in as many games. The Portuguese ace was then given a standing ovation from the Meazza faithful as he made way for Solari. Mancini introduced Lambros Choutos for Mariano Gonzalez in the closing stages. The Greek striker scored what he thought was Inter's fourth after receiving in the area from Solari, only for the flag to go up for offside. The Nerazzurri continued their search for another goal in the final minutes, with Recoba and Stankovic forcing Toro sub Fontana into saves. Inter 3-0 Torino (HT: 1-0) Scorers: Materazzi (pen) 12, Maicon 62, Figo (pen) 67. Inter: 1 Toldo; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell (20 Recoba 46); 7 Figo (21 Solari 74), 5 Stankovic, 19 Cambiasso, 4 Zanetti; 91 Mariano Gonzalez (99 Choutos 79), 18 Crespo. Subs not used: 79 Carini, 8 Ibrahimovic, 11 Grosso, 16 Burdisso. Coach: Roberto Mancini. Torino: 1 Taibi (31 Fontana 68), 22 Comotto, 4 Brevi, 14 Franceschini, 3 Balestri; 10 Rosina, 15 De Ascentis, 25 Di Loreto (19 Abbruscato 85), 8 Barone, 18 Obgonna (26 Martinelli 46); 9 Muzzi. Subs not used: 6 Cioffi, 16 Oguro, 21 Predko, 84 Schiattarella. Coach: Gianni De Biasi. Referee: Daniele Orsato (Schio). Booked: Taibi 12, Comotto 25, Maicon 62. |