Inter had the chance to take pole position in the Serie A points table but could not seize the opportunity with Parma consigning them to a 2-2 draw at the San Siro.
Antonio Conte will not be pleased with the Nerazzurri’s latest performances in the Serie A. Had the Milanese outfit not managed to score late goals against Genoa, the Lecce native would be up in arms against his charges. Inter are finding it hard to score and had an exciting meeting with Parma.
Without the services of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez struggling in front of goal, the Scudetto challengers had their work cut out for themselves. Meanwhile, Parma came into the fixture with an impressive 3-1 win over Pescara in the Coppa Italia and a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Spezia.
They would make their chances count against the Nerazzurri thanks to a Gervinho brace to take home the points. Conte’s men were spared their blushes, with Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic getting on the scoreboard.
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All the goalmouth action took place in the second half, with Parma managing to withstand Inter’s pressure in the first. Inter were the dominant side in the initial meetings and, like their 0-0 draw in the Champions League, were unable to make anything off their superior possession.
Ivan Perisic had the first opportunity of the game but his shot from inside the area went high and wide. Lautaro Martinez would test the keeper from outside the box but his tame effort was easily gathered. A similar result was witnessed when Achraf Hakimi got on the end of an Aleksandar Kolarov cross.
Parma had been on the back foot for the duration of the first but would get the proceedings underway in emphatic fashion. Hernani sent an excellent lofted ball ahead, which was latched upon by Gervinho. The Ivory Coast international was through on goal and his shot towards the right post gave Samir Handanovic no chance.
Inter responded in their bullish manner and their first opportunity for an equalizer came through Stefan de Vrij. The defender put the ball into the back of the net but he was ruled offside. Lautaro Martinez got the next opportunity and saw Luigi Sepe deny his headed attempt.
The Nerazzurri’s forays ahead did not bear fruit and they put themselves under more pressure with their inability to keep Gervinho in check. Roberto Inglese released the Parma frontman on goal and his shot went between the Inter captain’s legs, making it 0-2.
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— Parma Calcio 1913 (@ParmaCalcio_en) October 31, 2020
Fabio Liverani’s defensively frail side had a sizable lead in the fixture. Inter had been searching for a goal, which seemed not to be coming. The increased deficit rallied them and they replied swiftly through the boots of forgotten man Marcelo Brozovic. Nicolò Barella passed to the Croatian, who went on a sizzling run before dispatching a fierce shot that pierced Parma’s defenses.
The hosts smelled blood and went for it. Achraf Hakimi would come close, but the Moroccan’s effort was wide. Andrea Ranocchia should have equalized but his free header was straight at Luigi Sepe. Hakimi would come close again and Sepe was equal to the task. Radja Nainggolan, Aleksandar Kolarov, and Marcelo Brozovic would try their luck from outside, but the Parma defense had nothing to worry about.
Conte’s men continued to try and their efforts bore fruit in the second minute of added time. Aleksandar Kolarov swung in the ball from a free-kick with Ivan Perisic getting on the end of it to equalize. It was the Croatian’s first of the 2020-21 Serie A campaign and what a time to score it!
With two minutes of extra time remaining, Inter went ahead in search of a winner. They came close as Arturo Vidal got on the end of an Ivan Perisic cross but it was wide of goal. The miss would prove to be their last opportunity as referee Marco Piccinini blew for full time.
Both sides would be unhappy with the result but will take the points. Inter dominated proceedings but in the absence of Romelu Lukaku found it challenging to have an end product for their efforts. They can rue the result but only have themselves to blame.
Meanwhile, the Ducali return to the Stadio Ennio Tardini with the air of what-ifs. They took a comfortable lead only to lose it in the dying moments of the fixture. But they will not have many complaints after securing a similar result against Spezia last weekend.
Serie A title contenders would welcome the 2-2 result. Milan can consolidate their lead at the top of the points table on their trip to Udine. Meanwhile, Napoli and Sassuolo have the opportunity to take pole position as they fight it between themselves at the San Paolo.
MATCH REPORT
October 31, 2020 – Serie A 2020-2021 Round 6
INTER-PARMA 2-2
SCORERS: 46′ Gervinho (P), 62′ Gervinho (P), 64′ Brozovic (I), 92′ Perisic (I)
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INTER (3-4-1-2): Handanovic; De Vrij, Ranocchia, Kolarov; Hakimi (78′ Young), Gagliardini (59′ Brozovic), Barella (78′ Nainggolan), Darmian (68′ Pinamonti); Eriksen (58′ Vidal); Perisic, Lautaro Martinez (Padelli, Radu, D’Ambrosio, Moretti, Carboni, Satriano, Bastoni) Coach: Conte |
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PARMA (3-4-2-1): Sepe; Grassi (84′ Brugman), Iacoponi, Gagliolo, Pezzella; Hernani, Balogh, Kurtic (74′ Sohm); Kucka; Cornelius (46′ Inglese), Gervinho (74′ Cyprien) (Turk, Rinaldi, Karamoh, Valenti, Inglese, Sprocati, Adorante) Coach: Liverani |
REFEREE: Mr. Piccinini from Forlì
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Ranocchia (I), Hernani (P); Extra Time: 1st Half 2′; 2nd Half 4′
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