Simone Inzaghi’s squad continued its strong run of results on Friday, beating Salernitana 0-5.
Inter’s domination was total. In the first half, the visitors managed numerous chances and could have led 4-0. Goals by wingbacks Ivan Perisic and Denzel Dumfries set the tone for their side and gave it an early lead. Despite Franck Ribery’s creativity, the Granata struggled to put together any sort of attack and failed to penetrate the champions’ strong defense.
After a number of disappointing results, Salernitana needed a miracle to take any points. The hosts deployed Ribery as the creative player, while poacher Simy lined up as the number nine.
Inter ran out its familiar 3-5-2, keeping most of its starters in the eleven. Inzaghi rested Milan Skriniar and Lautaro Martinez, replacing the duo with Alexis Sanchez and Danilo D’Ambrosio. Facing a club that had scored just once in its last eight matches, the favorites seemed likely to win their sixth straight.
After controlling possession early, Nicolo Barella managed the first chance of the match. The midfielder received the ball unmarked outside the box and took a ferocious shot, but it sailed over the net.
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The opening goal came in the 11th minute for Inter. Hakan Calhanoglu fired a corner kick into the middle of the box, and Perisic out-jumped his marker. It was the Croatian’s fourth tally in his fantastic start to the season.
Despite Inter taking several chances, Salernitana finally registered a shot. After a counter attack, the home side moved the ball around the attacking third and fired, but Alessandro Bastoni blocked Ribery’s shot to preserve the lead.
Later, Joel Obi nearly equalized when Ribery played him into the box. He took a shot from five yards out, but Samir Handanovic made a quality save at the near-post.
15 minutes before halftime, Inter finally extended its lead. Edin Dzeko played a low cross into the box, and Dumfries took a powerful first-time shot that went bar-down into the net.
Minutes later, Dzeko missed a great opportunity to score on another corner. The striker had a free header at the back-post, but he sent the ball wide from three yards out.
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Returning from the break, D’Ambrosio had a great chance after Barella found the defender in the box. He struck a curling shot towards the goal, but the strike glanced off the post for a corner.
Early in the second half, Salernitana appeared to gain momentum. The hosts were building well in the attacking half and forced the Nerazzurri defense to make two desperate tackles in the box.
Despite this apparent resurgence, Alexis Sanchez soon scored his second of the season. The Chilean, Dzeko and Calhanoglu combined on a breakaway, and the forward easily found the bottom corner of the net to make it 3-0.
Martinez, on for Sanchez as a substitute, scored the fourth for Inter. After Roberto Gagliardini was dispossessed in the box, the ball fell to the Argentine’s feet, and he coolly slotted the ball past Vincenzo Fiorillo.
Late in the match, Salernitana gave up completely. In the 87th minute, Arturo Vidal’s through-ball was deflected, and Gagliardini fired it into the net to confirm the win for his side.