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Inter were not phased by the absence of fans in Verona, securing their record 15th consecutive Serie A victory.
The Nerazzurri's bid to continue their 14-match winning streak was played in an empty Stadio Bentegodi due to enhanced security restrictions. Nicolas Andre Burdisso was suspended and Marco Andreolli joining Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the injury list, but Chievo had more pressing concerns with bans for both Lorenzo D'Anna and Luciano.
It was a return to Verona for Julio Cesar, who was signed by Chievo in January 2005 without making a single appearance. Inter wore their shirt sponsors in Chinese characters.
Incredibly, it took less than 50 seconds for the Nerazzurri to take the lead! Adriano received from Dejan Stankovic and unleashed a truly magnificent left-foot strike from a very tight angle that flashed across the face of goal and in off the far post. It will go down as one of L'Imperatore's best and certainly his quickest.
The Flying Donkeys went on the counter-attack and Victor Obinna out-sprinted Ivan Cordoba, but selfishly went for glory and his shot was smothered by Julio Cesar.
Esteban Cambiasso had two consecutive efforts charged down, while Vincenzo Sicignano bravely closed on Hernan Crespo as he ran on to Patrick Vieira's through ball.
Chievo should have equalised before the break, as Franco Semioli sprung the offside trap and cut back for Obinna, but the Nigerian's finish was straight at Julio Cesar from six yards.
Mantovani fired wide at the near post, but Inter doubled their advantage with Hernan Crespo. The Argentine hooked down a pass with his left and swept home with his right from outside the area, although Sicignano got down very slowly and probably could've saved it. There were also suspicions of handball.
Stankovic struck a promising effort past the far post and substitute Kamil Kosowski couldn't keep his shot down when trying to lob Julio Cesar.
Kosowski threatened again, forcing Cordoba into some desperate defending that almost resulted in an own goal. Pellissier hit the back of the net, but it was disallowed for a very debatable push on Cordoba in the lead-up.
Pellissier was a constant danger and his rising angled drive was fingertipped on to the crossbar by Julio Cesar. Inter substitutes Luis Figo and Julio Cruz had chances late on.
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