TURIN – Inter stepped out at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin for today's early kick-off with head coach Roberto Mancini ringing the changes. Playing in a 3-5-2 formation with Rodrigo Palacio and Mauro Icardi leading the line up front, Inter rarely looked liked conceding and created chances up front in an entertaining game.
In truth, there was little to separate the two sides and Geoffrey Kondogbia's far-post volley in the 31st minute after a Yuto Nagatomo free-kick was enough to hand three points to the Nerazzurri.
On a beautiful early November day, Mancini's men started the game on the front foot and worked their first opportunity in the 10th minute with Icardi nodding narrowly over, after the Argentine striker had caused panic in the Torino area with a low cross.
Inter were managing the opening exchanges of a cagey affair comfortably. Nevertheless, Torino switched on in the 29th minute when Marco Benassi rattled Samir Handanovic's bar. Soon after, however, Inter took the lead as Nagatomo whipped in a set piece and Palacio got the flick-on, leaving Kondogbia in acres of space to volley home past Daniele Padelli in goal. It was the French midfielder's first goal in competitive fixtures for Inter.
The first half concluded with nothing more of note, aside from some good keeping by the Torino stopper who showed quick reactions to intercept a cross that Icardi was waiting to head home.
Torino exploded out of the blocks after the break. Handanovic was called into action three times in the space of three minutes at the start of the second half, but was equal to everything the home side had to throw at him.
Towards the midway point in the second half, both coaches began to shuffle their packs. Maxi Lopez replaced Andrea Belotti in the 62nd minute for Torino, while Ivan Perisic came on for Nerazzurri skipper Icardi moments later (with the armband going to Nagatomo). The Croatian striker made an immediate impact with a great run down the left, but his cross from the byline went behind without danger.
The hosts were presented with a wonderful chance in minute 80: Daniele Baselli released the dangerous Fabio Quagliarella inside the area, but once again Inter's Slovenian miracle-worker was there to save the goal-bound shot. The Nerazzurri responded well a minute later and substitute Adem Ljajic worked himself a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box. Unfortunately, his effort flew harmlessly over as a rogue bounce deceived the Serbian.
There was still time for Inter's No. 1 to show off his bravado yet again with three minutes to go in normal time, saving low from veteran Brazilian Amauri's effort.
One cause for concern for Mancini was when Jeison Murillo was forced off with an injury to his right knee late on in the game, with Andrea Ranocchia taking his place.
Torino could do nothing to change the scoreline - even after eight minutes of injury time - and Inter picked up another 1-0 victory that lifts them clear at the top of Serie A.
TORINO 0-1 INTER (HT 0-1)
Scorers: Kondogbia 32.
TORINO: 1 Padelli; 21 Silva, 25 Glik, 24 Moretti; 33 Peres (7 Zappacosta, 78), 15 Benassi, 20 Vives, 16 Baselli (22 Amauri, 82), 3 Molinaro; 27 Quagliarella, 9 Belotti (11 Maxi Lopez, 63).
Subs not used: 13 Castellazzi, 28 Ichazo, 6 Acquah, 14 Gazzi, 17 Martinez, 23 Prcic, 44 Pryima.
Coach: Giampiero Ventura.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 24 Murillo (23 Ranocchia, 90+4), 25 Miranda, 5 Jesus; 33 D'Ambrosio, 83 Melo, 17 Medel, 7 Kondogbia, 55 Nagatomo; 8 Palacio (22 Ljajic, 75), 9 Icardi (44 Perisic, 67).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 10 Jovetic, 11 Biabiany, 12 Telles, 14 Montoya, 21 Santon, 23 Ranocchia, 27 Gnoukouri, 77 Brozovic, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Yellow cards: Glik 31, Medel 63, Bruno Peres 74.
Additional time: 2+6.
Referee: Massimiliano Irrati.
Assistants: Andrea Crispo, Espedito Marco Musolino.
Fourth official: Sergio Ranghetti.
Additional assistants: Antonio Damato, Daniele Doveri.
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LE PAROLE DI MANCINI POST TORINO INTER
