Inter focused their assault on Serie A after being dumped out of the UEFA Champions League and the Nerazzurri snatched the three points from the jaws of defeat in Cagliari thanks to a goal and assist from Nicolò Barella.
Antonio Conte’s men should have scored a handful of goals in the first twenty-five minutes but their proficiency in front of goal continued to haunt them. Cagliari pegged them back at the tail end of first-half with Riccardo Sottil getting on the scoreboard.
The slender goal lead seemed to have been enough with fifteen minutes remaining in the game. Inter had lost their structure by them, and dramatic news awaited them at the full-time whistle. However, they turned around their fortunes in the final minutes of the game – Nicolò Barella equalizing with a volley, before sending in the cross for Danilo D’Ambrosio’s effort. Romelu Lukaku ensured the point were in the bag with an extra-time goal.
? | STARTING XI
— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) December 13, 2020
Scendiamo in campo così ??#CagliariInter #forzaCasteddu pic.twitter.com/4bUZcYNX0n
For Inter, it should not have come down to late drama in the game to earn the points. Lukaku should have hit the back of the net twice in the first fifteen minutes. Alexis Sanchez should have dubbed that tally in the ten minutes that followed, but it would not come to fruition in this manner.
The Isolani bore the storm and hit the Nerazzurri in the 42nd minute. Riccardo Sottil showed composure which was missing in their rivals. The Cagliari attacker had a shot blocked but would not be denied on the free ball. He pounced on it and let free a first time effort that had no answer from Samir Handanovic.
Antonio Conte surely wasn’t happy with going down. But whatever he said during the half-time break did not seem to bring the desired results. Inter were devoid of structure and struggled to string together competent attacks.
This all changed with Nicolò Barella deciding to impose his will on the game. A poor clearance from the corner found Barella outside the box and the former Cagliari man hit a first-time volley to equalize.
The Italy international had been everywhere for the Nerazzurri and laid the foundation for the win. Barella was at it again from the corner seven minutes later. He received the ball short and crossed into the restructured defensive line. It matched Danilo D’Ambrosio’s run at the far post to make it 1-2. Inter had completed their turnaround with Antonio Conte clearly ecstatic on the touchlines.
? | TEAM NEWS
— Inter (@Inter_en) December 13, 2020
Here's your Inter Starting XI for #CagliariInter ?#FORZAINTER ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/uNt7BCQ8bR
This was not the sort of homecoming Cagliari fans had hoped from their youth academy graduate, but one that will be remembered for a long time. With the lead secured, the match continued to be played at both ends – Cagliari seeking the equalizer and Inter wanting to put the match beyond doubt.
The latter would be realized as the Islanders pushed men forward. Alessio Cragno joined their bid to try their luck from the corner, but Inter cleared. Lukaku easily evaded Cragno and was free to carry the ball into the empty net. The Belgian would not miss this time.
After surrendering their lead against Spezia only to share the points, Cagliari and Eusebio Di Francesco will not be happy with the result. On the other hand, the Nerazzurri will be relieved with the late surge and their continued success in Serie A. It allows them to put their Champions League heartache in the rear view mirror.
Inter are now in touching distance of crosstown rivals Milan with only a couple of points separating them. The Rossoneri take on the challenge of Parma at the San Siro later in the day. Stefano Pioli’s men can restore their five-point lead at the top of the leaderboard with a win.
MATCH REPORT
December 13, 2020 – Europa League 2020-21 Group Stage
CAGLIARI-INTER 1-3
SCORERS: 41′ Sottil (C), 77′ Barella (I), 84′ D’Ambrosio (I), 93′ Lukaku (I)
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CAGLIARI (4-2-3-1): Cragno; Faragò (68′ Klavan), Walukiewicz, Carboni (89′ Simeone), Lykogiannis; Marin, Rog; Zappa, Joao Pedro, Sottil; Pavoletti (75′ Cerri) (Aresti, Vicario, Caligara, Ceppitelli, Oliva, Pinna, Pisacane, Tramoni, Tripaldelli) Coach: Di Francesco |
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INTER (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, Bastoni (72′ Lautaro Martinez), De Vrij; Darmian (58′ Young), Barella, Brozovic, Eriksen (58′ Sensi), Perisic (46′ Hakimi, 83′ D’Ambrosio); Lukaku, Sanchez (Padelli, Radu, Gagliardini, Kolarov, Nainggolan, Ranocchia) Coach: Conte |
REFEREE: Mr. Pasqua from Tivoli
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Faragò, Pavoletti (C), Darmian (I); Extra Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 4′
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