Hello and welcome to Sports Mole’s live coverage of the Serie A clash between Catania and Inter Milan at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. This is part of the second round of fixtures in the Italian top flight and it promises to be an exciting match.

Heading into tonight’s encounter, visitors Inter find themselves seeking their second victory in as many matches in the league, having defeated Genoa 2-0 at the San Siro in Week 1.

Meanwhile, hosts Catania will look to register their first point of the campaign as they went down 2-1 to Fiorentina in Serie A last weekend.

The teamsheet is already in and I will post the lineups momentarily...

INTER MILAN XI: Handanovic; Juan Jesus, Ranocchia, Campagnaro; Jonathan, Guarin, Kovacic, Cambiasso, Nagatomo; R Alvarez; Palacio

CATANIA XI: Andujar; P. Alvarez, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Monzon; Izco, Tachtsidis, Almiron, Castro, Bergessio, Leto

The Inter lineup is as I expected with Rodrigo Palacio starting upfront on his own and Ricky Alvarez supporting him from just behind. Mateo Kovacic also starts in midfield, while there is a place on the bench for fit-again defender Walter Samuel.

Meanwhile, Catania have received a boost as Gonzalo Bergessio has recovered from a shoulder injury to start tonight but Pablo Barrientos is out of the lineup amidt reports that he will leave the club.

Just diverting from our live commentary here for a minute to bring you news that Gareth Bale has moved to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur. An agreement has been reached between the two clubs. You can read the full story here.

Just 15 minutes to kickoff in our featured game as Catania prepare to host Inter Milan. This could prove to be a cracker actually. Last season in this fixture, Inter came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, Palacio scoring the winner in injury time.

Inter will be the favourites tonight, especially with Palacio in form. The Argentine striker scored last weekend and he will once again be expected to ask questions of the Catania defence.

Keep an eye out for Ricky Alvarez as well. The attacking midfielder has been entrusted by Mazzarri to create chances for Palacio and his movements and skills could be crucial in unravelling the Catania backline. I am also relishing the prospect of watching Mateo Kovacic in action tonight. The 19-year-old has been made a key player in the new-look Inter team this season.

Just five minutes to kickoff at the Stadio Angelo Massiminon as the excitement is building up. Catania know that they can stage an upset tonight but to do that all the players must be on top of their game. Inter are by no means a settled side and could get undone if the hosts take the game to them.

The two sets of players are now in the tunnel and are getting ready to come onto the pitch.

It’s actually a nice and warm evening in Sicily tonight and the stadium is packed. The Catania supporters must be relishing a win over the former Italian champions.

An interesting fact for you. Walter Mazzarri has never won a game as a coach against Catania at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

KICKOFF: Catania start proceedings in Sicily and we are off!

There may be 22 players on the pitch tonight in an Italian league game, but 13 of those are Argentine. Four are of Inter and nine in total for hosts Catania.

There has been a slow start to the game tonight as neither side are able to maintain possession for much long. Inter have just won a free kick on the right side inside the Catania half.

That chance from the free kick is wasted as Alvarez’s kick is eventually cleared away by the home defence.

First meaningful shot of the game from Alvarez from outside the Catania box, but it was always going wide.

At the other end, Bergessio tries an attempt on target from outside the box but it takes a deflection off of Yuto Nagatomo and then Samir Handanovic makes an easy save.

CHANCE! Catania go close this time as Handanovic is forced to make a save from a good shot from Lucas Castro from outside the box.

CHANCE! Palacio gets his acrobatic effort towards goal amidst a host of bodies from an Alvarez cross, but it is nowhere near target. The game is now nicely warming up in an end-to-end contest.

CHANCE! Once again, Catania are deep inside the Inter penalty box. Bergessio was lining up a shot but Hugo Campagnaro just got a touch to make it easier for Handanovic to save.

CHANCE! Leto!! The best change of the game thus far falls to Leto and he fails to take it! He latches onto a pass from Panagiotis Tachtsidis, turns Fredy Guarin inside the Inter box and then shoots on goal. But standing between him and the opening goal of the match is a certain Samir Handanovic.

CHANCE! Oh, this time Inter go agonisingly close to opening the scoring! Jonathan finds himself on the right side of the Catania penalty box and shoots on goal, only to see Mariano Andujar turn it away before Nicolas Legrottaglie clears the loose ball.

Catania must be encouraged by their display and intensity so far in this game. They have had the better chances of the two sides so far and are still pressing forward in search of the opening goal of the evening.

A half-chance for Inter as Kovacic finds himself with the ball and space around him outside the Catania box. He shoots on goal but it is an easy catch for Andujar.

Now Cambiasso tries his luck for Inter but fails! The Argentine midfielder shoots at the Catania goal from distance but his effort goes high and wide. Still 0-0 between Catania and Inter Milan.

We have played 15 minutes and it has been a good game to watch so far. Both sides have surged forward and have created some good chances. Still 0-0, though.

Inter Milan take the lead at the Stadio Angelo Massimino and the scorer is once again Rodrigo Palacio. This time it is a simple tap-in from the Argentine forward following some great work and a good cross from Jonathan from the right.

Jonathan has been very impressive for Inter on the right for the Nerazzurri. He has looked quick and has made runs at the Catania defence. Best player on the pitch so far this evening.

Inter are on the surge again as Guarin tries to play in Nagatomo on the left, but the Japanese international just fails to keep it in his stride.

Leto has been the architect of most of Catania’s attacking moves tonight and has tested Nagatomo. The hosts’ attacks have come from the right, so they are becoming quite predictable for the Nerazzurri.

Guarin now goes for an ambitious shot from distance but Mariano Andujar claims the ball with ease.

Catania are lacking the discipline and the final ball upfront to make their chances count. They are moving forwards but it seems a bit disjointed and a bit predictable.

Half an hour gone in this match and Inter lead by a slender goal to nil. It has been an absorbing game of Italian football so far tonight, but there is a long way to go.

CHANCE! What an effort from Panagiotis Tachtsidis! He finds himself in acres of space over 25 yards from the Inter goal and shoots fiercely, but just fails to find the target. I suspect that Handanovic was beaten there as he was scrambling to get in line.

CHANCE! Now Sergio Almiron goes for a curling effort from outside the Inter box on the left, but he also fails to get his shot on target. It was a good idea, though, and if executed properly, could have put Handanovic in trouble.

Inter are struggle to craft an attacking move of their own at the moment and it looks at the moment that they would do good if they can survive the final 10 minutes of the first half without conceding. Catania are getting players forward but they are desperately lacking the final killer ball.

Good skills and determination from Guarin in the middle of the pitch as he skips past a couple of challenges to force Inter forward. However, Catania soon steal possession but once again fail to make much of it. Guarin has struggled to impose himself on the match tonight and has been on the backfoot when being run at by the Catania attackers.

Mariano Izco could be substituted now as he has landed awkwardly while trying to control a ball. Catania may be forced into an early change.

SUBSTITUTION The injured Mariano Izco goes off and on comes Maxi Lopez.

YELLOW CARD Yuto Nagatomo becomes the first player of the evening to go into the referee’s books for his challenge on Sebastian Leto. Two minutes to half time as Inter lead Catania 1-0.

SUBSTITUTION Now Inter are making a change. Mateo Kovacic is taken off and on comes in his place Saphir Sliti Taider. This is a tactical change, as Kovacic did not suffer any (obvious) injury.

Two minutes of injury time have been awarded here and it looks that Inter will retain their slender 1-0 lead going into the interval.

YELLOW CARD Nicolas Spolli now goes into the referee’s books for a late, late challenge on Palacio.

It was a very good and entertaining game of football at the Stadio Angelo Massimino in which Inter took the lead after 19 minutes through Rodrigo Palacio. Both sides created a flurry of chances and went close on a number of occasions, but Catania’s failure to find the final killer ball sees them trailing the Nerazzurri.

On the balance of play, it is perhaps unfair that Catania are behind. Both Leto and Bergessio have been thorns for an Inter defence that has struggled against their runs and long-range efforts, while Handanovic has been the busier of the two goalkeepers. However, Rolando Maran’s side have been guilty of not really getting their act together in the final third of the pitch.

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri will be anxious about his players’ performance as they have not looked convincing at all. There have been times when a better team than Catania could have really breached their citadel, such was his defenders’ lack of reading of the game. The Italian tactician would certainly like to tighten up at the back in the second half and perhaps advise attacker Ricky Alvarez to be more dominate and bullish while on the ball.

Having said that, this is an Inter team under construction and Mazzarri is still getting to work his style and philosophy into his players. A win would be considered a good result for the Milanese giants; perhaps another goal in the second half would ease the players and help them play with more comfort and freedom.

As we wait for the second half of this pulsating game to begin, let’s run down the scores of the other Serie A matches that are being played this evening. AC Milan lead Cagliari 2-1, Fiorentina are 3-0 up at Genoa and Udinese are beating Parma 1-0. Livorno lead Sassuolo 1-0 away from home, Bologna and Sampdoria are drawing 1-1 and Atalanta and Torino are drawing a blank.

The Catania players are on the pitch now for the second half and their Inter counterparts are now doing likewise.

KICKOFF: Inter Milan resume proceedings in the second half, leading Catania 1-0.

Inter are in possession at the moment as Palacio tries a spectacular curling effort. However, the forward’s effort from outside the Catania box is high and wide.

CHANCE! Mariano Andujar makes a sensational save on the line to keep Catania in the game! A cross is floated in from the right by Fredy Guarin that Nagatomo dives in to head on goal, but the hosts’ goalkeeper keeps his effort out.

Five minutes gone in the second half and at the moment Inter are on top. Catania are soaking the pressure and are yet to venture forward.

CHANCE! Lucas Castro almost gets the scores level with Catania’s first meaningful attack of the second half, or be it with an inadvertent effort. Hugo Campagnaro tries to clear the ball from deep inside the Inter box, but it hits Castro in the face and goes just over the Nerazzurri crossbar.

Nagatomo makes it 2-0 to Inter and has possibly wrapped up the three points tonight. A patient buildup from the visitors appeared to be foiled when Guarin was dispossessed by Almiron, but the ball eventually ended up with Palacio, whose cross from the right was headed in powerfully by the Japanese international.

Inter can relax now as they have a two-goal cushion. Catania look deflated by that second goal and, frankly, they could have done better defensively. They did not have enough men behind to combat the cross.

Half an hour left in this game and Inter are leading 2-0. Mazzarri’s players seem more relaxed in possession now as they are playing with the ball on the right side of the midfield inside the Catania half at the moment.

SUBSTITUTION Catania make their second change of the evening. Alexis Rolin comes on for Pablo Alvarez.

Mazzarri’s wingbacks have performed well tonight and the Italian tactician will be pleased with that. Catania desperately need a goal to give themselves a lifeline but at the moment it appears that they have relinquished hopes of any comeback.

YELLOW CARD Mariano Andujar now goes into the referee’s books.

SUBSTITUTION Sebastian Leto comes off for Catania and in his place comes on Souleymane Doukara.

SUBSTITUTION Inter make their second change of the evening. Ishak Belfodil replaces Fredy Guarin, who has had a mixed game – he looked in good spirits while taking his side forward but struggled especially in the first half in trying to stop the Catania attacks.

CHANCE! Oh, dear! Catania get three bites of the cherry but fail to halve the deficit. A cross from the right puts the Inter defence under pressure and forces Handanovic to make a decent save.

YELLOW CARD Now Doukara is booked for a rather bad challenge on Nagatomo.

CHANCE! Oh, Doukara goes close to scoring for Catania in what was probably the best change of the second half for the home team! Castro loops the ball into the Inter penalty box from the right and the Senegalese forward tries to head it towards goal, but fails. That was a great ball and a disappointing header.

Alvarez tries to make it 3-0 for Inter with an audacious shot from the edge of the Catania box, but his effort cannons off Nicola Legrottaglie. The Argentine attacker has had a poor game tonight and that probably sums it all up.

CHANCE! Alvarez again tries his luck but in vain. This time the ball falls to him on the left side of the Catania penalty box and his cross-cum-shot is turned away by Andujar.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Ishak Belfodil has the ball inside the Catania net but the referee correctly rules it out for offside. Another brilliant Inter attacking move sees Alvarez slide in Palacio on the left and his cross is turned in by Belfodil, but he is deemed to be in an offside position.

Ricky Alvarez is off the mark this season for Inter Milan with an absolutely sensational goal. He receives the ball on the left flank, gets past no fewer than three players on his stride and slams the ball into the Catania net. All over for the hosts – Inter have wrapped up the win and the three points.

SUBSTITUTION Inter make the third and final change of the evening. Jonathan, who provided the assist for the first goal, is replaced by Wallace.

Five minutes left in the game and you get the feeling that both Catania and Inter want this to be over. The hosts know that they have lost the match and the visitors are just running down the clock. Or maybe they have another goal in them...

Nagatomo tries to do an Alvarez as he marches on a solo run, but he is stopped in his tracks before long.

Two minutes left for the full-time whistle to be blown. I have watched the replay of the Alvarez goal again – it was really a fantastic effort and an early goal of the season contender.

CHANCE! Belfodil squanders a glorious chance to score Inter’s fourth goal of the evening as he slides in to meet a well-measured cross from the right but fails to keep it on target from just yards out. That was probably the worst miss of the match!

Three minutes of injury time have been awarded at the Stadio Angelo Massimino. Three more minutes and the result of tonight’s match will be confirmed.

Belfodil goes close again from close range on the left, but this time he is foiled by Andujar.

And the referee blows the full-time whistle and brings the game to a close. Catania lose their second successive Serie A game, while Inter make it two wins out of two. The hosts started the match well but faded away as the game progressed, with the Nerazzurri running out comfortable 3-0 winners in the end.

Rodrigo Palacio scored for Inter in the first half and Yuto Nagatomo and Ricky Alvarez added to the scoreline in the second period. Coach Walter Mazzarri will be pleased with his side’s second-half performance, while Catania boss Maran will know that his players need to work on their game.

I hope that you enjoyed our live coverage of the match here on Sports Mole. Thanks for joining us and hope that you have a good night. Goodbye.