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Inter notched up a seventh straight victory, but it was much harder work than expected, as Siena were furious at two controversial decisions.
The Nerazzurri returned to the scene of their 2007 Scudetto triumph and were already sure of the Winter champions crown with a seven-point lead at the top of the table. Injuries continued to decimate the squad with Walter Samuel and Olivier Dacourt out for the season and Luis Figo, Patrick Vieira, Francesco Toldo and David Suazo sidelined. Siena had lost just twice on home turf this season, but also had only one victory under their belts, drawing the other six. To make matters worse, the history books showed a total of two Inter victories and two stalemates in their Serie A encounters.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic set up a fine chance that Julio Cruz fired straight at Alex Manninger from point-blank range. Inter were struggling to find a way through, but the referee pointed to the spot when Paul Codrea clattered into Cruz and Siena were furious at the decision, insisting the Argentine had run into their teammate or at the very least that it was a free kick for obstruction. Ibrahimovic stepped up and although Alex Manninger guessed the right angle, the goalkeeper was unable to keep it out. Siena fought back and equalised almost immediately. Mario Frick nodded Tomas Locatelli's cross to the back post back across the face of goal for Massimo Maccarone and Ivan Cordoba to come flying in. The Colombian may well have got the final touch to bundle the ball over the line. The Tuscans were piling on the pressure against an oddly sluggish Inter, but the Scudetto holders went into the break 2-1 up thanks to a chaotic move. Siena couldn't clear the ball effectively and eventually Ibra cut back for Esteban Cambiasso to come sliding in from six yards. There were protests about this goal too, as Cruz may have been interfering with play and the ball possibly went over the byeline. Dejan Stankovic made his comeback from a heel injury with his first game since November 27, while Siena introduced Roma youth product Daniele Corvia. Luis Jimenez almost made it 3-1 by turning Paolo De Ceglie and firing wide from the edge of the box. Ibrahimovic gave Inter their two-goal cushion with a cracking strike, his second goal of the game. The Swede unleashed a cruise missile from the edge of the box that cannoned into the far top corner with his sweet right foot. Siena should have pulled one back, as Locatelli managed to squeeze a pass through a sea of legs for Corvia to spring the offside trap, but Julio Cesar came tearing out with a decisive point-blank save. Corvia had another good opportunity, as did Daniele Galloppa, while Cruz tested Manninger. Siena wanted a penalty for Pele's tackle on Locatelli, but the referee waved play on. Julio Cesar had to rush out to close down Maccarone, then the former Middlesbrough hitman drilled just past the post from the edge of the box. In one of few real shots on goal from Inter in this second half, Ibra blasted well over after good work from Cruz. Simone Vergassola also brought a save out of Julio Cesar, as Siena absolutely refused to give in. In stoppages they reduced the deficit to a minimum with Forestieri smacking a poor clearance under the crossbar from the edge of the box with a strong finish. | 
