AC Milan and Inter Milan both earned their first wins of the season on Saturday to surge clear of the relegation zone. Claudio Ranieri’s Inter reign began successfully after two goals in the last 10 minutes secured a 3-1 victory at Bologna.
And neighbours Milan also secured three points as veteran midfielder Clarence Seedorf scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at home to rock-bottom Cesena who are still without a point. For Ranieri it was the ideal start since replacing Gian Piero Gasperini, who was fired in midweek after losing four out of five games, and drawing the other.
Giampaolo Pazzini gave Inter a first-half lead before Alessandro Diamanti equalised from the spot. The winner came from a somewhat generous penalty award in which Bologna’s Archimede Morleo was dismissed after the slightest of contact with Diego Milito in the box. Milito converted the 81st-minute spot-kick before Brazil centre-back Lucio added a third, three minutes from time.
“It was important to start off on the right foot, the lads need to rediscover the path to victory and their self-confidence,” said Ranieri. “The first half was good, we used the ball well and played some good football in certain situations with Coutinho. In the second half they (Bologna) started to push forward and I tried to tighten things up (by withdrawing Coutinho).
“They’re a good group, they’re winners and those that have known sweet things cannot get used to bitter ones.” The difference in Inter under Ranieri was immediately apparent as they showed more verve and energy and went about attacking their hosts with considerable gusto. They should have been in front on eight minutes as Daniele Portanova fluffed a clearance but from eight yards out Walter Samuel shot straight at Jean Francois Gillet, who saved with his feet.
