Inter confirmed their place at the top of the Serie A table for the remainder of 2021 by defeating Torino 1-0 thanks to a goal from Denzel Dumfries. The Dutch right-back scored his second goal for the Nerazzurri at the half-hour mark.
Both sides tried to find the net after Inter took the lead but neither managed to do so. In the end, Simone Inzaghi’s side did enough to seal all three points.
Inter will be at least three points clear at the top of the table while Torino are 11th in the standings.
Martinez back in the XI, Torino make three changes
Inzaghi made three changes from Inter’s win in Salernitana with Milan Skriniar back in the lineup, replacing Danilo D’Ambrosio. Star midfielder Nicolo Barella missed the match due to a yellow card suspension and Arturo Vidal started in his place. Up front, Lautaro Martinez started at the expense of Alexis Sanchez.
Torino also had three changes from their win over Verona with Alessandro Buongiorno replacing Ricardo Rodriguez while Ola Aina started in place of Mergim Vojvoda. Josip Brekalo was back in the XI with Dennis Praet being benched.
Dumfries puts Inter ahead
Torino had an early shot on goal from Brekalo but Samir Handanovic denied him for a corner. Gleison Bremer attempted to head one into the back of the net but the Nerazzurri skipper prevented him from doing so.
Inter started to attack Torino’s goal with Vidal taking a shot but it was high. Minutes later, Martinez attempted to put his team ahead but it was blocked. Both sides had a few attempts on goal but were unable to break the deadlock
Inter eventually took the lead in the half-hour mark thanks to Dumfries, who scored his second goal in three Serie A matches. The Nerazzurri were keen on doubling their lead and Martinez tried to find the net but his shot was wide.
Inter Hold on to Their Lead
Torino were looking to find an equalizer after the interval with Aina taking a shot on goal early in the second half. Dumfries attempted to score a second but his shot was saved by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Close to the hour-mark, Torino made their first change with Magnus Warming coming on for Antonio Sanabria. This substitution seemed to work for the Granata as they continued to threaten the Inter defense.
A handball from Hakan Calhanoglu gave Juric’s side a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Sasa Lukic tried to find the net but Handanovic made a crucial save to deny him. Inter were keen on extending their lead but Torino were not sitting back. However, the Nerazzurri managed to hold on to their lead and bag all three points.
What Next for Inter and Torino
Inter start 2022 with a trip to Bologna as they take on Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side on January 5. Torino’s first match of the new year is a tough one as they take on Atalanta in Bergamo.
MATCH SCORECARD
December 16, 2021 – Serie A 2021-2022 Matchday 19
INTER – TORINO
SCORERS: 30′ Dumfries (I)
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INTER (3-5-2): Handanovic, Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni, Dumfries (83′ D’Ambrosio), Vidal (82′ Sensi), Brozovic, Calhanoglu (69′ Vecino), Perisic (90′ Dimarco), Dzeko, Martinez (69′ Sanchez) Coach: Inzaghi |
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TORINO (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic, Djidji, Bremer, Buongiorno (65′ Rodriguez), Singo (76′ Ansaldi), Lukic, Pobega (65′ Mandragora), Aina, Brekalo (76′ Praet), Pjaca, Sanabria (59′ Warming) Coach: Juric |
REFEREE: Mr. Guide
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Calhanoglu (I); Added Time: 1st Half 0′, 2nd Half 4′