Inter Player Ratings vs Cagliari: Lautaro Back on Track | OneFootball

High-flying Serie A champions Inter eased past relegation-threatened Cagliari 3-0 at the Unipol Domus to end a successful 2024 on a high. All three goals came after the break as the Nerazzurri posted a fifth successive league victory.

Inter’s first-half performance in Sardinia was a carbon copy of last Monday’s clash against Como. Simone Inzaghi’s charges couldn’t find a way past Cagliari’s deep defensive block, but it’s worth mentioning they put in a minimal effort.

Except for Marcus Thuram’s long-range volley, which forced Simone Scuffet’s diving save in the opening minutes, Inter failed to test the Cagliari goalkeeper in the first half. Lautaro Martinez wasted the best opportunity as his free header flew over the crossbar.

However, it took Inter eight minutes into the second half to break the deadlock, with Nicolo Barella picking out Alessandro Bastoni inside the box with a delightful cross. The Italian defender outjumped his marker to head the ball home and put the visitors in front.

Inter doubled their lead midway through the second half. Martinez ended his scoring duck with an instinctive finish, turning Barella’s cross into the net to put the game beyond Cagliari’s reach. Things soon went from bad to worse for Davide Nicola’s side.

Mateusz Wieteska’s reckless handball inside Cagliari’s penalty area handed Hakan Calhanoglu another opportunity to showcase his spot-kick prowess. The Turkish ace left Scuffet no chance to make it 3-0 in the 78th minute, sealing the Islanders’ fate.

It was Inter’s 12th consecutive league match without losing since a 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Milan in mid-September. As a result, they’ve leapfrogged Atalanta at the top, if only for an hour.

Let’s look at our player ratings.

Inter (3-5-2)

Yann Sommer – 6

Clean sheets keep piling up for the Swiss keeper, even though he only had to make one save this evening.

Yann Bisseck – 7

Following a shaky performance against Como, the 24-year-old enjoyed a perfect night in Sardinia, with his last-ditch defending denying Cagliari two clear-cut chances in the first half.

Stefan de Vrij – 7

It was another day in the office for the Dutch veteran. He neutralized Robert Piccoli, dominating the Sardinian striker in aerial duels and robbing him of possession numerous times.

Alessandro Bastoni – 7.5

The Nerazzurri stalwart couldn’t have found a better way to cap off another remarkable showing as he gave Inter an all-important opener. Did his defensive job to a ‘T.’

Federico Dimarco – 6

Despite being heavily involved in the build-up, the Italian wingback lacked his signature delivery tonight, squandering several promising set-piece opportunities.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6.5

There’s not much more Inzaghi can expect from his veteran midfielder. He worked his socks off in the middle of the park, making sure Inter had Cagliari on the ropes all game.

Hakan Calhanoglu – 7

He was the focal point of Inter’s attacks, pulling all the strings in the engine room with his trademark passing and supreme vision.

Nicolo Barella – 7.5

The ex-Cagliari starlet was Inter’s beating heart in Sardinia. Two assists to secure the visitors’ two-goal cushion probably best illustrate his impact tonight.

Denzel Dumfries – 6

Despite spurning a decent opportunity to draw first blood late in the first half, the Dutch star was a constant threat down the right flank.

Marcus Thuram – 6.5

The Frenchman can live with a rare scoreless appearance this season, knowing he was the source of chaos near Cagliari’s box all night.

Lautaro Martinez – 7

Frustration was visible in the first half as the Inter often engaged in heated discussions with Cagliari players. However, he put all the anxiety to bed with the match-defining goal.

Substitutes

Piotr Zielinski – 6.5

Mehdi Taremi – 5

Kristjan Asllani – 5.5