Becks enjoys winning debut as PSG blank Marseille 2-0
Keeper Sirigu the hero
Third-placed Milan, clearly buoyed by Wednesday’s Champions League win over Barcelona, controlled the first half and could have been several goals ahead by halftime against an Inter team mired in a mid-season domestic slump.
They went ahead in the 20th minute when former Milan man Antonio Cassano lost possession in midfield and Kevin-Prince Boateng slipped a pass to Stephan El Shaarawy, who poked the ball into the roof of the net for his 16th league goal of the season.
Handanovic somehow kept Inter alive as he pushed away Balotelli’s rocketing header from under the crossbar, then stopped a sliding effort from “Supermario” from only six metres.
Inter, beaten 4-1 by Fiorentina a week ago and one point behind Milan in fifth, came to life after the break and Fredy Guarin’s close-range volley was diverted onto the post by Christian Abbiati.
Argentine-born Schelotto, signed from Atalanta in the January transfer window, came off the bench in the 68th minute for his third appearance and quickly made an impact, heading in from Yuto Nagatomo’s cross three minutes later.
“It’s an incredible emotion to start with a goal in the derby in front of all the supporters,” Schelotto told reporters.
His goal relieved some of the pressure on Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni, who is unbeaten in three meetings with Milan.
The mid-table action in Cagliari took place behind closed doors on safety grounds following the latest episode in the long-running saga over their move to the scandal-plagued Is Arenas stadium.
Club president Massimo Cellino was arrested this month on charges of embezzlement and false representation in the rebuilding of the tiny stadium, which has three temporary stands and one permanent structure.
A Marco Sau
penalty
gave
the Sardinians a halftime lead, but Alessio Cerci and Alen Stevanovic put the visitors 2-1 up within 10 minutes of the restart.
Daniele Conti levelled in the 75th minute, Mauricio Pinilla put Cagliari back in front with an 87th minute penalty after Ogbonna had tugged the Chilean’s shirt.
“He only played 20 minutes tonight but he showed some good things.”
Ligue 1 leaders PSG had opened the scoring thanks a bizarre Nicolas Nkoulou own goal in the 12th minute as the ball rolled into the net after Joey Barton and the Cameroon centre back had both diverted a Lucas attempt.
The visiting team dominated possession and had the best chances throughout but Italy reserve keeper Sirigu made a string of superb saves to preserve the leaders’ advantage until Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealed victory with the second goal from close range in stoppage time.
PSG have 54 points from 26 games, three ahead of Olympique Lyon, who beat Lorient 3-1 at home thanks to Lisandro Lopez, Rachid Ghezzal and Arnold Mvuemba’s goals. Marseille stayed third on 46.
The hosts seemed started well and after two minutes Lucas hit the post following Ibrahimovic’s back-heeled volleyed pass.
They were quickly rewarded with Nkoulou’s own-goal but then let the visitors dominate possession, banking on inform Ezequiel Lavezzi’s pace to create chances.
Tough defence
Marseille struggled to unsettle their hosts’ tough defence for half an hour, until Foued Kadir produced a fine solo effort down the right, only to see his powerful shoot parried away by Sirigu.
It was just the beginning of the show for the keeper who also pushed away efforts by Mathieu Valbuena and AndrePierre Gignac.
The 37-year-old was loudly cheered by the frozen fans following his trademark deep pass to Lavezzi who failed to make anything of it. Playing in midfield, Beckham joined the team in the defensive work before Ibrahimovic sealed victory with the second goal.
In Lyon, the 20-year-old Rachid Ghezzal shone with his first league goal, which helped the home team keep PSG within reach thanks to a 3-1 victory.