Reigning champions Inter maintained their victorious form as they beat Venezia 2-1 today. The visitors shocked the home crowd by opening the scoring after just 19 minutes thanks to Thomas Henry. However, Inter equalized thanks to Nicolò Barella before Edin Dzeko’s late header from Denzel Deumfries’ cross sealed victory for them.
Inter played a good game and created loads of chances but Venezia goalkeeper Luca Lezzerini denied them time and again. Nonetheless, they manage to grind out a win and can now look forward to what promises to be a tightly-contested Milan Derby.
Starting XIs: Inter Make Nine Changes
Inter rested most of their regulars for their Coppa Italia last 16 clash against Empoli and all of them were back in the XI today. Matteo Darmian and Lautaro Martinez were the only players who featured in the previous match.
Empoli manager Paolo Zanetti also made several tweaks to the team that lost their Coppa Italia match against Atalanta. The Azzurri made six changes from their previous match.
Barella Cancels Out Henry Header
The first half was very entertaining with a number of chances being created. Inter started well and attacked but it was Venezia who opened the scoring, to everyone’s surprise. Ampadu’s brilliant cross found the head of Henry and into the back of the net.
Inter were keen on equalizing as quickly as they could and began putting more pressure on the Venezia defense. The visitors were forced to make an early change as Luca Fiordilino replaced Antonio Junior Vacca who sustained an injury.
The Nerazzurri persistently troubled the Venezia backline with Calhanoglu often trying to score from distance. Inter eventually found their equalizer in the 40th minute after goalkeeper Lezzerini blocked Martinez’s left-footed shot, only for Barella to slot it in.
Dzeko Seals Victory in the Dying Minutes
Inter brought on Federico Dimarco after the interval for Alessandro Bastoni. The Nerazzurri maintained their attacking intensity with Calhanoglu delivering a brilliant delivery towards Dzeko, only for the Bosnian to not be able to make any contact with it. Just minutes later, Lezzerini made a fine save to deny Darmian who was a menace for the Venezia defenders on the right flank.
The visitors also attacked with David Okereke forcing a save from Handanovic just after the hour-mark. Inter tried their level best to score and had to wait until the final minute to get it after Dumfries’ cross found Dzeko, who headed the ball in the back of the net.
What’s Next for Inter and Venezia
Next up for Inter, is the Milan Derby on February 6 while Venezia travel to Naples for what will be a very difficult fixture against Napoli.
MATCH SCORECARD
January 22, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Matchday 23
INTER – VENEZIA 2-1
SCORERS: 19′ Henry (V), 40′ Barella (I), 90′ Dzeko (I)
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INTER (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, A. Bastoni (46′ Dimarco); Darmian (73′ Dumfries), Barella (82′ Vidal), Brozovic (82′ Vecino), Calhanoglu, Perisic; Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez (73′ Sanchez) (Cordaz, Radu, Gagliardini, Kolarov, Sensi, Ranocchia, D’Ambrosio) Coach: Inzaghi |
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VENEZIA (3-5-2): Lezzerini; Ampadu, Caldara, Ceccaroni, Modolo, Ullmann; Tessmann (66′ Kiyine), Vacca (25′ Fiordilino), Cuisance (66′ Peretz); Okereke (82′ Sigurdsson), Henry (82′ Nani) (Maenpaa, Neri, Molinaro, Makadji, Mozzo, Issa, Pecile) Coach: Bertolini / Soncin (replacing Zanetti) |
REFEREE: Mr. Marchetti from Rome
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Bastoni (I), Barella (I), Modolo (V), Lezzerini (V), Kiyine (V), Caldara (V), De Vrij (I); Added Time: 1st Half 4′, 2nd Half 4′