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Inter got back on track with a 2-0 victory over Reggina thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Nicolas Burdisso, but Julio Cesar was decisive.
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was packed to celebrate Inter's centenary, as the club was founded on March 9, 2008 and after the final whistle the stadium turns into a stage for hours of festivities. There wasn't a party atmosphere within the team, though, as they were without a win in three games and their lead at the top of the table was cut to six points. Reggina weren't exactly on top form either, as Coach Nevio Orlandi made his debut after Renzo Ulivieri's dismissal.
The Amaranto had the first chance with Franco Brienza's header sweeping wide with seven Inter defenders caught ball-watching. Hernan Crespo went close at the other end by nodding past the upright.
The referee pointed to the spot on 14 minutes, but Reggina were livid as the contact on Esteban Cambiasso's ankle was outside the box. Nonetheless, Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit a fairly central right-footed penalty past Andrea Campagnolo.
The visitors had a period of pressure with Julio Cesar's palms stung by a Francesco Modesto cracker that was heading under the bar from a tight angle. Moments later it took a desperate Nicolas Burdisso sliding tackle to take Brienza's through ball off the foot off Nicola Amoruso. From the resulting corner Julio Cesar slapped the ball off Maurizio Lanzaro's head from six yards and then Salvatore Aronica's effort flashed across the face of goal.
Crespo got a knock to the head as he tried to turn in from six yards, but Reggina had the better chances as Julio Cesar beat away a swerving long-range snapshot from Simone Missiroli. From the corner the Brazilian had to get down for a great save on the Valdez chest and volley that was about to squeeze in at the foot of the near post.
However, Inter were clinical on set plays and doubled their lead with Burdisso's header from a Luis Jimenez free kick from the left flank.
Marco Materazzi ended Brienza's solo run with a borderline tackle as Reggina kept on pushing and Julio Cesar stuck out a leg to deflect a low Aronica drive over the bar.
An Ibrahimovic missile of a free kick cracked against the bar in the final minute of the first half. David Suazo replaced Crespo, who cut his head in that earlier knock and there was an ill-tempered scuffle between Bruno Cirillo and Dejan Stankovic for a dangerous tackle from the Reggina man.
A smart free kick by Ibra was threaded through to Suazo, but Campagnolo got there first. Inter were playing with a 4-4-2 system and far more solid now than in the first half, but Amoruso was still clear on goal after springing the offside trap and brought another stunning reaction save from Julio Cesar.
Jimenez was substituted by Nelson Rivas and the Chilean seemed very unhappy with the decision, debating with Mancini as he walked off the pitch.
Reggina still threatened as Burdisso had to dive in to clear with Amoruso prepared to pounce from six yards. Julio Cesar consolidated his Man of the Match status with a brilliany save on Emil Hallfredsson's solo run and lob, also able to parry the loose ball away from Stephen Makinwa.
Stankovic blasted over and Julio Cesar tipped a Lanzaro header out from under the crossbar.
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