|
David Suazo's first half brace comfortably saw off Livorno for Inter's 11th win in 12 Serie A games, as Luis Figo and Douglas Maicon made their comebacks.
The all-conquering Nerazzurri are getting increasingly frustrated at the controversy over refereeing decisions. They faced a Livorno side that had held Milan to a 1-1 draw in this stadium on Wednesday in the rescheduled Week 16 tie.
Patrick Vieira sat out a ban, while Francesco Tavano, Diego Tristan, Olivier Dacourt, Walter Samuel, Martin Bergvold and Giuliano Giannichedda were injured. Douglas Maicon made his comeback after several weeks out with back pain.
The Amaranto last got a point here in 1947, losing the next five on the trot, conceding 14 goals and scoring twice. Marco Amelia smothered a Javier Zanetti strike and moments later was at full stretch to fingertip Hernan Crespo's effort.
However, Alessandro Diamanti threaded through for Erjon Bogdani and Julio Cesar had to rush out to close him down.
The deadlock was broken on 14 minutes. Cristian Chivu's set-piece found David Suazo for a free header from six yards and the ball bounced under Amelia's legs.
More chaotic defending allowed the Honduras hitman to bag his second in the space of four minutes. Maxwell got down the left flank and his chipped cross struck Diamanti on the chest, falling kindly for Suazo to volley in from five yards.
Julio Cesar blocked a Jose Luis Vidigal snapshot and Maicon fired over, but just before the break Crespo sprung the offside trap and instead of going for glory rolled across for Suazo and the chance went begging.
The second half found Inter frankly uninterested in adding to their advantage, rather saving energy for the upcoming Liverpool clash. A Fabio Galante tackle was perfectly-timed to stop Suazo in his tracks and Nicolas Burdisso's header was well over.
Livorno risked getting back into the game on the hour mark when a fantastic Diamanti free kick cracked against the near post. The move continued and Julio Cesar's brilliant one-handed reaction save denied a diving Vidigal header.
Inter went on the counter in the same incident and Suazo defended the ball to cut back for Esteban Cambiasso, bringing a tough reaction save from Amelia's outstretched foot.
Luis Figo made his comeback several months after fracturing his ankle, boosting his hopes of facing Liverpool next week, and was given a standing ovation by the San Siro crowd. In stoppages Julio Cesar smothered a long-range Antonio Filippini effort, but the game was effectively over a long time ago.
| 
