Inter needed Denzel Dumfries’ late heroics to avoid defeat against Monza on Sunday night, eking out a 1-1 draw in a mini-Lombard derby. The Dutchman’s 88th-minute equalizer spared the Nerazzurri’s blushes to help the reigning Serie A champions maintain an unbeaten league start
Everything looked idyllic for Inter before the international break. Simone Inzaghi’s side thrashed Atalanta 4-0 with a dominant home performance to enter the two-week hiatus as the division’s leaders. Meanwhile, Monza headed into Sunday’s proceedings winless in 12 straight top-flight outings.
However, Stadio Brianteo stood firm tonight as Alessandro Nesta’s side knocked Inter down from a two-game winning streak in Serie A. Monza could’ve taken all three points as Dany Mota opened the scoring in the 82nd minute with a towering header from nearly 16 yards out.
Despite being pressured by the clock, Inter found an equalizer. Dumfries pounced on a deflected ball on the far post to score off the bench and help the reigning Scudetto holders uphold their undefeated Serie A record at the Brianteo (W1, D2).
Without further ado, let’s look at our player ratings.
Inter (3-5-2)
Yann Sommer – 6
Though he didn’t have much to do tonight, there was nothing the Swiss veteran could’ve done to thwart Mota’s surgically-placed header.
Benjamin Pavard – 6
You’d expect a player of his stature to have a field day against a young gun, such as Daniel Maldini, but that wasn’t the case this evening.
Stefan de Vrij – 6
Like his fellow defensive comrade, the Dutch star failed to impress, especially when asked to fight Milan Djuric in the air.
Carlos Augusto – 7
Filling Alessandro Bastoni’s shoes is no small task, and the former Monza man was up to the challenge, excelling in his new role while picking up an assist for Dumfries’ match-saving strike.
Matteo Darmian – 6
Invisible in the final third and often outplayed by Gianluca Caprari, the experienced right-back had a first half to forget. It’s no wonder Inzaghi took him off early in the second half.
Davide Frattesi – 6
Following another memorable international break, the highly-rated midfielder slumped to another mediocre performance. It’s like he cannot perform for Inter from the start.
Kristjan Asllani – 6.5
The Albanian swooped in for Hakan Calhanoglu at the heart of Inzaghi’s midfield and delivered another reassuring display. Calm and collected in possession, but there’s room for improvement in decision-making.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6.5
His dynamic display in the center of the pitch was crucial to Inter establishing midfield control in the first half. Ran out of steam afterward!
Federico Dimarco – 7
The Inter stalwart is developing into one of the best wingbacks in Europe’s top-five leagues, let alone Serie A. Such an anchor on the left-hand side.
Marcus Thuram – 5.5
After an electrifying start to the season, the Frenchman stuttered at the Brianteo, failing to have an impact on the game despite lasting nearly 75 minutes on the field.
Lautaro Martinez – 5
He’s been unrecognizable this season! Another frustrating night for the out-of-form Inter captain!
Substitutes
Denzel Dumfries – 7.5
Piotr Zielinski – 7
Mehdi Taremi – 6
Marko Arnautovic – 5.5
Joaquin Correa – 5.5
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