GENOA – Roberto Mancini's men emerged from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa with a 1-1 draw thanks to a Ivan Perisic finish from close range that cancelled out Luis Muriel's strike early in the second half.
It was a good result for Inter, considering Sampdoria's 100% record at home this season, and now the Nerazzurri have to move on and put last week's home defeat at the San Siro behind them.
The Nerazzurri head coach chose to stick to practically the same line-up as seven days ago, the only enforced change was Jeison Murillo in place of the suspended Miranda alongside Gary Medel in a four-man defence. Sampdoria manager Walter Zenga opted for a front two of Luis Muriel and Eder, with Roberto Soriano operating in behind.
Both sides started strongly with Ervin Zukanovic coming close with a header for the home side and Mauro Icardi getting in behind the Blucerchiati defence but he was unable to direct his shot on target. Eder then warmed up with an effort from long-range that didn't trouble Samir Handanovic. However, Inter's keeper was called into action again moments later with a diving save to his right as Joaquin Correa tried his luck from a similar distance.
Inter responded by slowing down the tempo and getting a foothold in the game. Good possession led to a crossing opportunity for Rodrigo Palacio, picking out Geoffrey Kondogbia at the back post who squared it for Fredy Guarin in acres of space. Unfortunately, the Colombian couldn't keep his acrobatic finish below the bar.
The Blucerchiati tried to bounce back immediately with Eder in the 30th minute, but Gary Medel was on hand to deflect the Italy striker's effort behind for a corner. Seven minutes later, Soriano played Correa into a one-on-one situation with Handanovic. Sampdoria's No. 10 picked up the rebound after his first effort was saved but somehow managed to miss an unguarded goal from a couple of yards out. Having been majorly let off the hook, Inter played out the final minutes of the first half to go in at 0-0.
The first chance after the break fell to Mancini's men, with Palacio once again the creator. Unfortunately, Perisic arrived agonisingly late on the cross and the opportunity passed. In the 51st minute, Zenga's men opened the deadlock. Pedro Pereira's cross from the left evaded every Inter defender and made it through to Muriel at the far post, who guided the ball home on the turn.
Inter responded straight away, with good link-up play between Palacio and Perisic leading to a cross from Guarin that was fired across the area, but the Sampdoria backline managed to clear their lines.
The Nerazzurri were pushing high up the pitch in search of the equaliser, leaving themselves vulnerable to counter-attacks from the Blucerchiati danger men. Muriel came close to doubling his goal-tally in the 70th minute when he found himself bearing down on goal with only the keeper to beat. Luckily for Inter, his powerful left-footed strike flew just wide of Handanovic's post.
The leveller came just five minutes later when a Davide Santon cross caused panic in the area. Mauro Icardi pounced on the loose ball and, at the second time of asking, squared for Perisic to get ahead of Emiliano Viviano in goal and hit it home.
Inter began to push for the winner and upped the pressure just as Sampdoria were fading after an energetic first half. Mancini went all out for victory by sending on Adem Ljajic in place of Santon late in the game, but the scoreline didn't change and both teams take home a share of the points.
SAMPDORIA 1-1 INTER (HT 0-0)
Scorers: Muriel (51) and Perisic (75)
Sampdoria: 2 Viviano; 13 Pereira, 4 Moisander, 87 Zukanovic, 3 Mesbah; 7 Fernando (Ivan 95, 10), 8 Barreto, 21 Soriano; 24 Muriel (Cassano 99, 77), 23 Eder, 10 Correa (Palombo 17, 56).
Subs not used: 1 Puggioni, 57 Brignoli, 9 Rodriguez, 19 Regini, 77 Carbonero, 92 Rocca.
Coach: Walter Zenga
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon (Ljajic 22, 88), 17 Medel, 24 Murillo, 12 Telles; 13 Guarin, 83 Melo, 7 Kondogbia (Biabiany 11, 62); 44 Perisic, 8 Palacio (Manaj 97, 70); 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 5 Jesus, 14 Montoya, 23 Ranocchia, 27 Gnoukouri, 33 D'Ambrosio, 55 Nagatomo, 77 Brozovic.
Coach: Roberto Mancini
Booked: Barreto 64, Perisic 67, Felipe Melo 80, Fernando 80, Medel 82, Guarin 90+3
Added time: 2+4 minutes
Referee: Rocchi
Assistants: Barbirati, Marzaloni
Fourth official: Preti
Additional assistants: Orsato, Candussio
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
LE PAROLE DI MANCINI POST SAMPDORIA INTER
