Inter Milan News

The Argentine struck twice to seal an incredible comeback win for the Nerazzurri, and is hopeful that his side can use the result as a springboard for the rest of the season

Rodrigo Palacio was delighted with Inter’s 3-2 win over Catania, describing the comeback victory as an “important win”.

Andrea Stramaccioni’s side found themselves 2-0 down after just 20 minutes at Stadio Angelo Massimino, but two goals from Palacio – including an injury-time winner – followed Ricky Alvarez’s strike in the second half and sealed a remarkable win for the visitors.

Palacio believes his side deserved the victory following their performance, and is hopeful that they can now go on a run of form after an inconsistent spell.

“It was a really important win, it was a tricky match but we did it,” the 31-year-old was quoted as saying by the club’s official website. “Once again we played badly in the first half and well in the second. What’s important is that the team played well. Now we’ll try to continue in this vein.”

Antonio Cassano was dropped for the encounter on Sunday afternoon after a training ground altercation with Stramaccioni, leaving much of the attacking burden on Palacios’ shoulders, as Inter struggled to cope with their depleted attack.

However, the Argentine insisted he felt no additional pressure before the game, stating: “I’ll continue as I always do.”

The result means Inter move into fourth spot at the expense of Lazio, with both sides on 47 points after 27 games.

CATANIA – Fredy Guarin was quick to point out to Inter Channel that “the win we’ve just recorded was very important: we must always try and replicate that determination we showed in the second half. We reacted with heart and determination after the coach’s half time team talk. We’re not lacking quality, it’s through hard work that we can be successful. 

CATANIA – The match at the Stadio Massimino ended with an incredible comeback win for the Nerazzurri. In the first half Catania scored twice through Bergessio and Marchese, but after the break Inter managed to secure the three points thanks to a goal from Alvarez and a brace from Palacio, leaving them with 47 points in the standings.

It took Catania just seven minutes to take the lead when Bergessio capitalised on a mistake from Juan Jesus: as the defender was trying to protect the ball the Argentine striker picked his pocket and beat Handanovic with a right-footer. On 19 minutes the home side doubled their lead when Lodi’s floated free kick was headed inside the far post by Marchese. Inter struggled to react.

In the second half Catania again started aggressively and were nearly up 3-0 through Bergessio. But Inter managed to cut their lead in half on 52 minutes: Schelotto picked out Palacio who crossed to the 6-yard box where Alvarez met the ball with a diving header. It was his first goal of the season. In the 70th minute the Nerazzurri drew level when Palacio expertly headed Pereira’s cross from the left downward into the goal, giving Andujar no chance. Later, Cambiasso came agonisingly close with a volley that finished just a hair wide of the far post. However, Inter’s winner arrived in the 2nd minute of added time. Palacio, who initially started the action, first-timed Cambiasso’s cutback past Andujar. It was an extraordinary interchange between the two Argentines and completed the 2-3 comeback at the Stadio Massimino.

Catania 2-3 Inter (HT: 2-0)
Scorers: Bergessio 7, Marquis 19, Alvarez 52, Palacio 70, 90+2.

Catania: 21 Andujar; 22 Alvarez, 3 Spolli, 5 Rolin, 12 Marchese; 27 Biagianti (Almiron 77), 10 Lodi; 13 Izco, 19 Castro, 17 Gomez; 9 Bergessio (Cani 85).
Unused subs: 1 Frison, 2 Potenza, 18 Augustyn, 8 Sciacca, 24 Ricchiuti, 26 Keko, 30 Salifu, 34 Messina, 35 Doukara.
Coach: Maran.

Inter: 1 Handanovic; 4 Zanetti, 26 Chivu, 40 Juan Jesus, 31 Pereira; 14 Guarin (Cambiasso 77), 17 Kuzmanovic (Stankovic 46), 21 Gargano; 7 Schelotto, 18 Rocchi (Rocchi 46), 11 Alvarez.
Unused subs: 30 Carrizo, 77 Di Gennaro, 28 Pasa, 33 Mbaye, 42 Jonathan, 10 Kovacic, 24 Benassi, 47 Colombi.
Coach: Stramaccioni.

Referee: Mauro Bergonzi (Genova).

Booked: Pablo Alvarez 37, Rolin 55, Handanovic 70, Bergessio 70, Schelotto 84, Cani 86.
Added time: 2+4 minutes. 

CATANIA – Ezequiel Schelotto spoke to Inter Channel following his side’s 3-2 win over Catania: “We were clinical in the second half, having fallen behind in the first. We managed it through hard graft. Now we’ll try and keep that up.”

“I’m getting better all the time and I can still improve, the more I play, the better I’ll feel. I’ll do everything to keep working harder,” the player added.

CATANIA – “We started very badly, due in part to an amazing atmosphere here in Catania, and our opponents began very strongly. We made a huge mistake on their first goal and on the free-kick with Marchese getting up on his own. But if the team didn’t have guts, there would have been no way of coming back.” Here’s what Andrea Stramaccioni had to say about the comeback victory at the Stadio Massimino.

Juan Jesus was slightly naive on the opening goal, with Stramaccioni commenting: “A young kid like him, who makes a mistake like that, but who then played a great second half… we mustn’t forget we played with two left-footed centre backs today. What I liked most was Juan Jesus’ reaction in the second half.”

“It was a huge win because we beat the form side in the league at the moment. It’s even sweeter because I don’t know if anyone would have backed us after the first half. In the end we deserved the win. Today Cambiasso, Zanetti, Chivu and Stankovic pulled the rest of the team with them to achieve an unbelievable result given the state of the match. A coach must make the most of those 15 minutes with his players in the dressing room. I don’t know how many people would have even bet a Euro on us winning the game. As I’ve said, this squad is a mixture of players who’ve made history at the club and others who will be the future like Handanovic, Palacio and others.”

The coach was then asked about the substitutions he made, bringing off Guarin and Rocchi: “We know how much Guarin gives, he was gritting his teeth but it wasn’t worth risking him. Why did I start with Rocchi ahead of Palacio? A coach is not a journalist, so I’ll remind you that his performance was good enough based on the service we provided him. Obviously he needs to get some minutes under his belt as he’s not played in a while. I left Palacio on the bench because we have lots of matches coming up and I have to manage that.”

Talk then switched to the Antonio Cassano situation: “There’s training tomorrow and Antonio will be there just like the rest of his team-mates. And we’ll prepare for Thursday’s game. When will he be brought back in? There’s no need to bring him back because he was never excluded in the first place. There can be heated discussions in any changing room. We’ll need everyone between now and the end of the season, and that includes Antonio Cassano. But what goes on in the dressing room is our business alone. These are all things that happen between men in a dressing room. Apologies? Our relationship is my business, I’ll say something to Antonio in person, just as he will with me. Am I disappointed? I’d tell him in person if I were, I don’t need to say it on television.”

Finally Stramaccioni singled out referee Mauro Bergonzi for praise: “Bergonzi put in a great performance, I just want to highlight that, it wasn’t easy.”

The coach then underlined that “someone told me this was my 50th game in charge and for me it’s still a dream. Have Inter changed me? You’d need to ask the people around me. As a man I don’t believe so, but as a coach yes, because I learn something new every day from my players and the environment I work in.”