Inter Milan extended their lead at the top of Serie A to six points with a convincing 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Cagliari at the San Siro on Saturday. Simone Inzaghi’s side showcased their dominance as they continue their pursuit of a second consecutive Scudetto, while maintaining Inzaghi's unbeaten managerial record against Cagliari (W13, D3).
Inter made several changes to their lineup following their midweek Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich. Among the fresh faces was Marko Arnautović, who wasted no time making an impact. The Austrian striker opened the scoring in the 13th minute, capitalizing on Carlos Augusto’s chest-down assist to blast the ball into the roof of the net. This marked Arnautović’s fourth goal in his last five league appearances.
Buoyed by his opener, Arnautović turned provider in the 26th minute, delivering a perfectly weighted pass for Lautaro Martínez. The Argentine forward displayed remarkable composure as he chipped Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile to double Inter’s lead and notch his 20th competitive goal of the season.
Cagliari responded early in the second half when Roberto Piccoli headed home Tommaso Augello’s cross in the 48th minute, briefly reigniting hopes for the visitors. However, Inter quickly restored their two-goal cushion through Yann Bisseck, whose towering header from Federico Dimarco’s corner sealed the victory in the 55th minute.
Despite late pressure from Cagliari—including a goalline clearance by Stefan de Vrij—Inter expertly managed the closing stages to secure their seventh win in eight Serie A meetings with Cagliari.
Simone Inzaghi expressed mixed emotions after the match. While praising standout performances from Marko Arnautović and Carlos Augusto, he acknowledged concerns about fatigue as Inter compete on three fronts this season—Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League. "It’s a taxing season, but we need to adapt," Inzaghi remarked. "Mental and physical fatigue are evident, but I’m fortunate to lead a team that gives everything for these colors.
"Inzaghi also voiced frustration over lapses in ball management during the final minutes of play, emphasizing the need for focus ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich. "We must persist on this path while being cautious about injuries," he added.
Cagliari coach Davide Nicola admitted his side faced an uphill battle against league leaders but commended Roberto Piccoli's effort and resilience. "We’re fighting hard to stay clear of relegation," Nicola stated. "Matches like these show our potential despite challenges."
Inter Milan now sit six points ahead of Napoli with six matches remaining in the league. Their next challenge comes against Bayern Munich in a decisive Champions League clash at San Siro.
Meanwhile, Cagliari remain six points clear of relegation but face mounting pressure as they approach the season's final stretch.
This victory solidifies Inter’s position as favorites for another Scudetto while highlighting their squad depth and tactical prowess under Simone Inzaghi—a manager determined to deliver success across all competitions.