MILAN – Inter showed that they are capable of scoring more than one goal in a game with a thrilling performance this evening, thrashing Serie A newcomers Frosinone 4-0 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
The night was charged with emotion before kick-off, as La Marseillaise rang out around the stadium in commemoration of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in Paris. Then it was up to the players to do the business on the pitch and they delivered in style. Goals from Jonathan Biabiany and three in the second half from Mauro Icardi, Jeison Murillo and Marcelo Brozovic handed Roberto Mancini's side three key points that send them clear at the top of the league.
The Nerazzurri began on the front foot straight away with Adem Ljajic trying his luck from the edge of the area less than a minute into the game, but the Frosinone defence managed to get the block in.
A few moments later, both keepers showed their worth when first Nicola Leali got ahead of Ljajic who was lurking dangerously in the area and then Samir Handanovic was quick off his line to snuff out a counter attack from the visitors. Inter's No.1 was called in action again in the 7th minute, leaping to his left to save from a well-struck Danilo Soddimo volley.
Inter's response didn't take long to come: Stevan Jovetic and Ljajic combined well on the 18-yard line, with the Serbian attacker putting it on a plate for Geoffrey Kondogbia. Unfortunately, the midfielder couldn't keep his effort on target. Jovetic stung the hands of the Frosinone keeper soon after with a powerful strike that was too central.
The game was low on zip and excitement in the opening stages and was in need of a spark from somewhere. Biabiany duly provided the goods in the 29th minute. Ljajic had a shot from the edge of the area that Leali parried back into danger, where the French winger was waiting to rifle the ball into the roof of the net. He almost contributed to a second goal in the 33rd minute with a delightful lofted cross to Ljajic at the back post, but Frosinone defender Mirko Gori did well to put it behind for a corner.
There was little else of note in the first half – apart from a Ljajic effort from 30 yards that didn't trouble Leali too much – and Inter went in at the break with a 1-0 lead.
Neither side made any changes at half-time and Inter exploded out of the blocks in the second half. Biabiany dribbled the length of the pitch, played a neat one-two with Icardi before striking narrowly over in the area.
The visitors tried to get back into the game from a free-kick, but it was the hosts who struck again in the 53rd minute. Ljajic picked up the ball from Jovetic, exchanged quick passes with Icardi before making it to the byline and squaring back to his captain, who simply had to poke the ball home for 2-0.
Frosinone did briefly threaten with 30 minutes left on the clock when the ball fell at Nicolas Castillo's feet after a corner. Luckily, Murillo was on hand to throw his body in the way of the Chilean's goal-bound effort.
Inter carved themselves another great chance in the 68th minute when Handanovic released Ljajic on the counter attack. The Nerazzurri No. 22 showed great vision to find Icardi, who laid it off to the onrushing Biabiany. The Frenchman's low drive beat Leali, but Leonardo Blanchard was well placed on the line to save a goal.
Mancini's charges were in total control of the match, constantly probing for the third goal that eventually came two minutes from the end of normal time. Ivan Perisic, who had just come on for Jovetic, cut in from the right and set up Murillo with a silky back-heel, with the marauding defender coolly slotting home. Brozovic put the icing on the cake deep into injury time, smashing home with his right after Ljajic had once again supplied the assist.
The win lifts Inter two points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A and the Nerazzurri's next match in the league is actually at the Stadio San Paolo on Monday 30 November at 21:00 CET.
INTER 4-0 FROSINONE (HT 1-0)
Scorers: Biabiany 29, Icardi 53, Murillo 88 and Brozovic 90+1.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 55 Nagatomo (23 Ranocchia, 60), 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 12 Telles; 83 Melo, 7 Kondogbia; 11 Biabiany (44 Perisic, 85), 10 Jovetic, 22 Ljajic; 9 Icardi (77 Brozovic, 88).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 5 Jesus, 8 Palacio, 13 Guarin, 14 Montoya, 17 Medel, 27 Gnoukouri, 33 D'Ambrosio, 77 Brozovic.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
FROSINONE: 33 Leali; 28 Rosi, 24 Diakité, 6 Blanchard, 3 Crivello; 17 Paganini (29 Carlini, 83), 5 Gori (8 Gucher, 76), 21 Sammarco, 10 Soddimo; 9 Ciofani (12 Longo, 76), 30 Castillo.
Subs not used: 1 Zappino, 23 Gomis, 7 Frara, 11 Verde, 13 M. Ciofani, 69 Bertoncini.
Coach: Roberto Stellone.
Yellow cards: Diakité 10, Miranda 26 and Paganini 62.
Additional time: 0+3 minutes.
Referee: Marco Guida.
Assistants: Afonso Marrazzo, Gianmattia Tasso.
Fourth official: Mauro Vivenzi.
Additional assistants: Michael Fabbri, Federico La Penna.
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