Inter ‘see the finish line’ as Juve consolidate third

“It’s not easy to be under constant pressure but we’re getting used to it. We just need to continue pedalling to the max as we approach our goal.” Antonio Conte

MILAN: Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan tightened their grip on the Serie A title with Matteo Darmian scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Cagliari to stretch their winning streak to 11 games.

Champions Juventus consolidated third place with a 3-1 win over Genoa as Atalanta battled to a 3-2 victory over Fiorentina to stay fourth ahead of Napoli who won 2-0 at Sampdoria.

“We’re starting to see the finish line,” said Conte after Inter restored their 11-point lead on second-placed AC Milan who won 3-1 at Parma on Saturday.

Moroccan Achraf Hakimi came off the bench and set up Darmian to grab the winner with 13 minutes to go at the San Siro.

“It’s not easy to be under constant pressure but we’re getting used to it,” said Conte of their bid for a first title since 2010.

“We just need to continue pedalling to the max as we approach our goal.”

Cagliari goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, replacing Covid-19 hit Alessio Cragno, kept his 18th-placed team in the game, denying Christian Eriksen in both halves.

Romelu Lukaku set

Sanchez who thought he had broken the deadlock after quarter of an hour, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Conte made a double substitution bringing on Hakimi for Ashley Young after 69 minutes, with Lautaro Martinez replacing Sanchez.

It paid off and minutes later as Hakimi combined with Lukaku to tee up Parma loanee Darmian to push Inter closer to a 19th Serie A crown after finishing runners-up last season.

“On a psychological level we gave an important signal today,” said former Manchester United defender Darmian.

“Conte transmits the passion and the desire to win, you can see this on the pitch. Everyone feels they have a role to play.”

Juve’s nine-year reign looks set to end as they sit 12 points adrift of Inter and are now battling to stay in the Champions League berths with four points separating the second and fifth-placed teams.

Serie A top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo drew a blank to add to his frustration, as the Portuguese star failed to add to his 25 goals this campaign.

“It happens to everyone to get angry,” said coach Andrea Pirlo.

“Cristiano wanted to score at all costs because he’s a champion who wants to stamp his mark on matches.

“Unfortunately, the points lost on the road in games which seemed straightforward on paper have cost us, so we aim to improve,” added Pirlo. — AFP