Internazionale vs. Catania

The Elefantini had earned their first win of the season last week and welcomed back Ciro Capuano and Federico Spolli from suspension, though Barrientos, Alvarez and Sciacca were still sidelined. Inter missed Thiago Motta, Diego Milito, Esteban Cambiasso and Walter Samuel, but took the rare step of partnering Mario Balotelli with Samuel Eto'o.

A Sulley Ali Muntari long ball from 30 metres out went over Eto'o at full stretch and bounced in past a startled and very slow Campagnolo. It was a howler from the goalkeeper, who expected Eto'o to make contact.

Catania fought back as Ezequiel Carboni unleashed a blockbuster from 30 metres that was heading right for the top corner before Julio Cesar got his palms to it.

Sneijder doubled Inter's lead with a fine free kick, curled from 20 metres into the near top corner, beating Campagnolo again. The goalkeeper's view appeared to be impaired by the defensive wall.

Gennaro Delvecchio wasted a counter by ballooning over when he pounced on an Ivan Cordoba ricochet, then soon after Cristian Chivu had to intercept a dangerous ball for the waiting Carboni.

The Sicilians made two changes at the break, introducing Giuseppe Mascara and Pablo Ledesma. Carboni blasted off target from a promising position, but Inter also threatened when Campagnolo punched a Sneijder free kick out for Vieira's diving header over the bar.

The referee inevitably pointed to the spot when Cristian Llama's snapshot bounced off Julio Cesar's chest and into the path of Gianvito Plasmati, the goalkeeper bringing him down. There could be no argument, but Cordoba was on the goalline, so there was no red card. Mascara confidently converted under the bar.

Catania were back in it and Llama drilled a daisy-cutter wide, but at the other end Eto'o curled a free kick inches wide of the far post with Campagnolo rooted to the spot. In stoppages the Sicilians also had a chance with Julio Cesar smothering Llama's long-range free kick.