Staff Reporter.
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A rare goal from full-back Matteo Darmian earned Inter Milan a 1-0 victory over Cagliari on Sunday, as Antonio Conte’s side closed on their first Serie A title in 11 years.
Inter moved 11 points clear of AC Milan in second with eight games to play while Cagliari remained languishing down in 18th place, five points from the safety zone.
“I like to repeat — these matches are starting to feel like victories are worth six points,” Conte told DAZN.
“Milan won [on Saturday] and it was important for us to keep our lead. It is not easy but we are getting used to it.
“For many it is the first time being under pressure like this, playing always to win. I am very satisfied with what we are doing.”
With such a healthy lead at the top of the table, Conte shuffled his pack for Cagliari’s visit, with Lautaro Martinez and Achraf Hakimi given a rest, but Inter’s cohesion did not suffer early on as they created plenty of chances.
Christian Eriksen forced the best save from Vicario in the first half — a fine one-handed stop to claw out a goalbound effort.
As the match wore on, Inter started to look more nervous, and Conte brought Martinez and Hakimi on, with the latter instrumental in brilliantly setting up the chance for Darmian, who celebrated with a jubilant bench.
After second-placed AC Milan defeated Parma 3-1 on Saturday, forward Romelu Lukaku had a rare off day as Inter struggled to finish their numerous chances.
But Parma loanee Darmian pounced to leave relegation-threatened Cagliari five points from safety in 18th.
Inter’s 12th successive home league win left them needing 14 points from their last eight matches to guarantee the Scudetto.
Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo has displayed another gesture that seems to suggest this campaign is quite a frustrating one for him.
The Portugal international was involved in some controversy during the international break when he threw his captain’s armband on the ground because he had a goal wrongfully not given by the referee.
Now, he has been caught on camera throwing his Juventus shirt to the ground in anger after their 3-1 win over Genoa.