Inter Milan outclassed Monza to chalk up a 5-1 away win in Serie A on Saturday with two goals each from Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez as they moved a provisional five points clear at the top after an exciting game with three penalties.
Inter, who are on a 14-game unbeaten streak in the league, lead the table with 51 points from 20 games ahead of second-placed Juventus who host lowly Sassuolo on Tuesday.
“We had an excellent match, prepared in the best way (possible) in these five days,” coach Simone Inzaghi told Sky Sport before his side defend their Italian Super Cup crown.
Inter will play Lazio in Riyadh in the last four in Saudi Arabia on Friday after Napoli face Fiorentina in the other semi-final on Thursday.
Girona held
Surprise LaLiga leaders Girona were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by bottom side Almeria on Sunday and ending the contest with 10 men as Aleix Garcia was shown a straight red-card late in the second half.
Girona climbed back to the top of the standings with 49 points, one ahead second-placed Real and eight clear Barca in third.
Girona held a little over 55 per cent of possession but were bereft of ideas and barely threatened their opponents, registering only one shot on target during the entire game. They were lucky to salvage a point in a match a wasteful Almeria were the superior side but failed to score.
Dortmund sail
Fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund eased past bottom side Darmstadt 98 3-0 away on Saturday for a winning start to the new year as Jadon Sancho set up a goal on his return for the Ruhr valley club following his loan move from Manchester United.
The England international had left Dortmund after four years for Old Trafford in August 2021 but failed to hold down a regular spot and has made just three appearances this season after becoming embroiled in a row with United boss Erik ten Hag.
But he looked at home as Dortmund got a first win in five league games with his assist for Marco Reus to score in between Julian Brandt’s opener and Youssoufa Moukoko’s late strike.
