Inter Milan clambered into fourth spot in Serie A with a 3-2 victory over Cesena on Wednesday.
Leonardo maintains 100 per cent record as Nerazzurri boss
Inter Milan clambered into fourth spot in Serie A with a 3-2 victory over Cesena on Wednesday.
Leonardo has now taken maximum points from his opening four games as Nerazzurri boss as has taken Inter to within six points of arch-rivals and league leaders AC Milan, with a game in hand.
Inter had to display all of their battling qualities to take the spoils in midweek, but came through in the end against a Cesena side that was reduced to 10 men late on.
The hosts started much the brighter at Giuseppe Meazza and went in front after 14 minutes when Samuel Eto'o met Diego Milito's pass and fired home from 10 yards past Francesco Antonioli.
Inter doubled their lead seconds later as Goran Pandev picked out Milito inside the area and his close-range effort beat Antonioli.
Cesena reduced the deficit in the 23rd minute when Luca Ceccarelli's cross found Erjon Bogdani at the heart of the area and his right-footed effort beat Inter goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi.
Drilled
Inter kept the pressure on but were unable to extend their lead and Cesena got back on level terms in the 29th minute, Emanuele Giaccherini meeting Luis Jimenez's pass and drilling home a right-footed strike from eight yards.
The Nerazzurri were soon back in front, however, with Cristian Chivu's header from Maicon's cross beating Antonioli to bring an end to a thrilling first half.
Cesena struggled to get past Inter's defence after the re-start and the home team could have added to their lead in the 66th minute but Eto'o's stinging drive from 30 yards hit the bar.
At the other end, Jimenez almost made it 3-3. His run to the edge of the penalty area saw him fire wide of the far post, but the dismissal of Giaccherini on 74 minutes made their task all the harder.
Cesena never gave up hope, though, and with one minute remaining Igor Budan struck just wide from a good position.
