Inter strengthens grip on Serie A top spot
Inter Milan moved six points clear of Napoli in Serie A, putting pressure on Antonio Conte's side ahead of its game against Empoli with a 3-1 win over Cagliari.
Marko Arnautovic put the hosts ahead after 13 minutes, blasting home from close range after profiting from a defensive mix-up.
Roberto Piccoli should have equalised in the 26th minute. He was one-on-one with Yann Sommer but saw his tame effort parried by the goalkeeper.
Seconds later, Inter doubled its lead. Lautaro Martinez was fed in behind by Arnautovic and chipped a fine finish over Elia Caprile.
Cagliari pulled one back three minutes into the second half when Piccoli was left unmarked, and he sent a header into the ground that bounced into the top-left corner.
However, its growing momentum was punctured in the 55th minute when Yann Bisseck rose highest at a corner to head in a third for the hosts.
Stefan de Vrij made a late block on the line to keep out Piccoli once more, while Bisseck saw another chance sail over the crossbar, but his goal had already wrapped up the points for the hosts.
Despite the margin of victory, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi suggested the effects of a gruelling season were beginning to show.
"We really cared about this match and knew it would not be easy," he said.
"We got distracted for their goal but the team remained concentrated for the rest of the game. We continue this journey. It’s a struggle but it makes us proud.
"Last season we played 49 games in total, this year we’re already on 48 and it's only April 12. It's a very heavy season but we must adjust and are doing so with everyone sacrificing themselves to help.
"Besides physical fatigue, there’s also mental fatigue. Staying focused isn’t easy but I'm fortunate to coach a group that gives everything for these colours.
"We must continue on this path knowing that we still have six league matches ahead and commitments in other competitions. It will require a lot of sacrifice, and we are ready to put it on the field."
The Nerazzurri next host Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich in its UEFA Champions League quarter-final return game on Thursday (AEST) with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg.
"We go into this fixture with a lot of confidence, knowing that we are facing one of the three or four best teams in the world," Inzaghi said.
"We’ve got to replicate that first leg performance, playing with pace, aggression and organisation."
Inter will also face AC Milan in the second leg of a Coppa Italia semi-final on 24 April (AEST), with that tie level at 1-1.
