ASCOLI 1-2 INTER Sunday, 18 March 2007 17:00:28 ASCOLI - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a second-half brace as the Nerazzurri took a step closer to the Serie A title at the Stadio Del Duca. Inter substitute Adriano set up the Swedish forward for his 14th and 15th goals of the season after a scrappy opening forty-five minutes. Ascoli reduced the arrears in overtime when Bonanni converted penalty awarded for a Samuel foul on Bjelanovic. The 2-1 victory sees runaway league leaders Inter move eighteen points clear of nearest rivals Roma, who were held to a goalless draw at Fiorentina. Julio Cesar made first-half saves from Nastase and Fini, with Brazilian full-backs Maxwell and Maicon missing from inviting positions before Bjelanovic and Boudianski went close for the Bianconeri. Ibra, whose spectacular lob shot on 22 minutes would have been a candidate for goal of the season had it gone in, handed Inter the lead twenty minutes after the interval. The Swedish forward volleyed home Adriano's inswinging cross from the right after the Brazilian was beautifully picked out by Dejan Stankovic. Ibrahimovic added his and Inter's second eight minutes later, slotting under Eleftheropoulos after collecting an Adriano through pass. Sonetti's side grabbed a late consolation when Bonanni sent Julio Cesar the wrong way from the penalty spot. ASCOLI 1-2 INTER (HT: 0-0) Scorers: Ibrahimovic 65, 73, Bonanni (pen) 90+1. Ascoli: 33 Eleftheropoulos; 32 Nastase, 23 Corallo, 3 Lombardi; 22 Vastola (20 Perrulli 68), 31 Foglio, 21 Boudianski, 18 Pesce (25 Bonanni 77); 8 Fini; 9 Paolucci (79 Melara 60); 11 Bjelanovic. Subs not used: 19 Boccolini, 5 Minieri, 17 Guberti, 16 Giampà. Coach: Nedo Sonetti. Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 2 Cordoba, 25 Samuel, 6 Maxwell (18 Crespo 65); 16 Burdisso, 4 Zanetti, 5 Stankovic, 7 Figo; 8 Ibrahimovic (21 Solari 76), 9 Cruz (10 Adriano 52). Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 23 Materazzi, 19 Cambiasso, 91 Mariano Gonzalez. Coach: Roberto Mancini. Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Turin). Booked: Corallo 10, Zanetti 15, Maicon 18, Foglio 19, Ibrahimovic 21, Lombardi 43, Nastase 68, Stankovic 84, Samuel 90+1. |