Inter claimed bragging rights in Sunday’s Derby d’Italia but, more importantly, opened a six-point gap on second-placed Juventus. Federico Gatti’s first-half own goal decided an enthralling contest at Giuseppe Meazza, handing Simone Inzaghi’s high-flying side a 1-0 victory.
Skepticism over the game’s aesthetics was considerable ahead of the kick-off, especially following an uneventful 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture. Given the significance of the encounter, another ‘chess game’ was on the cards, yet Sunday’s top-table Serie A six-pointer yielded a breathtaking contest.
While a 1-0 scoreline could suggest otherwise, both sides had their chances, though Inter fared far better than Massimiliano Allegri’s injury and suspension-ravaged side. After wasting several decent half-chances in the opening half an hour, Nerazzurri grabbed the lead through Gatti’s unfortunate own goal.
Lady Luck looked after Juventus after Inter’s opener, but the visitors failed to take advantage of their hosts’ profligacy to eke out a positive result. In addition to Hakan Calhanoglu hitting the post, Allegri was indebted to Wojciech Szczesny for keeping Bianconeri in the game with spectacular saves.
However, Yann Sommer’s 14th clean sheet in 21 Serie A games was enough for Inter to extend their winning league run at home to six matches and move four points clear at the table’s summit. With a game in hand, the runaway leaders could put the Scudetto race beyond doubt midway through the campaign.
Without further ado, let’s look at our Inter ratings.
Inter (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 6.5
You’d expect the Swiss goalkeeper to be a busy figure in this type of fixture, yet Inter’s rock-solid backline did much of the heavy lifting, restricting him to a single save.
Alessandro Bastoni – 7.5
With Dusan Vlahovic in red-hot form, the Italian defender should’ve been in a world of trouble tonight, but he made the light work of the division’s second-best forward.
Francesco Acerbi – 6.5
Back to the starting XI at the expense of Stefan de Vrij, the veteran star looked a bit rusty and out of pace. However, his experience and perfect positioning bailed him out on more than one occasion.
Benjamin Pavard – 7
It seems like the Frenchman is made for big games as he put on his best showing in the Inter shirt to neutralize Filip Kostic while barely putting his foot wrong when in possession.
Matteo Darmian – 6.5
Inzaghi doesn’t fancy the ex-Milan man’s attacking attributes, but his tactical prowess and defensive contribution were crucial components of Inter’s mesmerizing display at the back.
Nicolo Barella – 6
Another below-par performance from the Italy international! Despite his tireless runs down the middle of the park, he failed to impact the game in any way.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7.5
In contrast to Barella’s bleak showing, the Turkish playmaker enjoyed a stellar evening, pulling all the strings in the midfield. Unlucky not to grab a goal for his outstanding effort!
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7
As Calhanoglu’s left ‘wingman,’ the Armenian was part of the reason Inter dominated possession, bossing the engine room with quick movements between the lines and laser-sharp passing.
Federico Dimarco – 7
Far more active on his flank than Darmian on the right, the offensive-minded full-back was an omnipresent figure on both ends of the field.
Marcus Thuram – 6.5
Pressuring Gatti in the own-goal situation forced an error that decided the game, but it’s fair to say he blew up a handful of promising chances.
Lautaro Martinez – 6
An atypically quiet night for the Serie A top scorer as he spent most of the match cut off from the rest of the pack, with Allegri seemingly instructing his men to close him down higher up the pitch.
Substitutes
Denzel Dumfries – 6
Carlos Augusto – 6.5
Marko Arnautovic – 5
Davy Klassen – N/A
Stefan de Vrij – N/A
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