In a 0-0 draw against Genoa, Inter dropped points to an inferior opponent for a second consecutive match.
Genoa’s revamped roster fought hard at home against the favorites. Though Inter dominated possession for most of the match, the Rossoblu managed a number of chances on counter attacks, and goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu was in fine form. The Nerazzurri had many opportunities to take the lead, but Simone Inzaghi’s side lacked quality finishing.
Having not lost in five weeks, Genoa’s starting lineup was stacked with their cast of new players. Young defenders Silvan Hefti and Leo Skiri Ostigard began the match on the backline, while Kelvin Yeboah and Albert Gudmundsson led from the front.
Aside from two noticeable absences, Inzaghi ran out his best starting 11. With the semifinals of the Coppa Italia approaching, the manager left Lautaro Martinez and Milan Skriniar on the bench, replacing the duo with Danilo D’Ambrosio and Alexis Sanchez.
?? Gli undici Grifoni per #GenoaInter pic.twitter.com/2dczWI9oM6
— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) February 25, 2022
The First Half
Inter started the match quickly, almost scoring when Nicolo Barella, Edin Dzeko and Hakan Calhanoglu combined in the final third. The Italian whipped in a low cross to Calhanoglu, but he sent his first-time shot wide of the post.
However, the Rossoblu responded immediately with a long-ball over the Inter backline. Yeboah headed the ball on to Gudmundsson, but the winger somehow missed from point-blank range as Samir Handanovic charged out.
Another long-ball created the next chance, but this time for the Nerazzurri. The pass found the head of Dzeko, who sent in a high, dangerous shot on goal. Sirigu made a backwards dive and ended up in the net, but he managed to keep the score level.
Later, Marcelo Brozovic committed a terrible turnover on Inter’s backline. Felipe Melegoni won the ball and fired a curling shot on goal, but Handanovic just managed to get a hand on the ball.
With the first half winding to a close, Ivan Perisic’s trickery on the left wing nearly opened Inter’s account. Dzeko got off of his marker, and the Croatian sent a cross across the face of the goal. However, the striker made his run too late and narrowly missed the ball.
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Here's Simone Inzaghi's starting 1️⃣1️⃣ for #GenoaInter ?
Powered by @EASPORTSFIFA #FORZAINTER ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/NhQJGMjmSj
— Inter ??? (@Inter_en) February 25, 2022
The Second Half
Inter started the second half in control of possession. After three minutes, Denzel Dumfries managed a back-post header from a cross, but he sent the ball over the frame of the goal.
After a spell of back-and-forth play, Genoa introduced Andrea Cambiaso as a substitute. The Italian youth international had a golden spell on the pitch, nearly creating a goal before making a crucial block in the defensive third. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old was injured in the defensive effort and left the pitch on a stretcher after just seven minutes.
Inter’s next chance came on a Calhanoglu corner kick. The in-swinger found D’Ambrosio, but his header careened off of the crossbar, keeping the match scoreless.
Inter continued to press, but to no avail. The match came to a close still deadlocked at 0-0. It was a disappointing day for Inter, though for Genoa, it was yet another step in the right direction.