MILAN - Inter got back to winning ways with Mauro Icardi's solitary strike enough to beat Chievo at the Meazza.
The Nerazzurri dominated the encounter and carved out a host of chances - Icardi denied a brace when his header came off the bar - but were unable to add to the captain's poached finish as visiting keeper Andrea Seculin produced a goalkeeping masterclass.
Roberto Mancini – in the stands serving a one-match touchline ban – opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Eder and Palacio in support of Icardi, Brozovic, Medel and Kondogbia in midfield and a back four of Nagatomo, Miranda, Murillo and Telles.
After a slow start and a long-range Geoffrey Kondogbia effort which sailed harmlessly over, Eder was handed a great opportunity to open his Nerazzurri account in the 8th minute. Palacio dummied Icardi's low cross in the box allowing the Italy striker to shoot firmly on goal only for Seculin to save with his feet.
Five minutes later the Chievo goalie – making his Serie A debut – displayed stunning reflexes to push a powerful Icardi finish over the bar.
Chievo were struggling to create chances and in the 21st minute a neat Nerazzurri move saw Kondogbia played in on the left of goal, his finish too central to seriously trouble Seculin.
Marcelo Brozovic had a curling effort pushed behind by the Chievo keeper and from the corner Icardi flicked a header not far wide of the opposite post.
A few minutes later the captain spotted Seculin off his line and attempted an audacious lob from the centre circle which drifted wide.
The first period ended with further opportunities for Inter. Eder ran onto Gary Medel's dinked pass at the far post before knocking it over on the bounce then had another shot charged down by the defence, while Brozovic dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box moments before the half-time whistle.
Inter did get the goal their efforts deserved soon after the restart though, and it was the captain who was in the right place at the right time. Following a corner, Miranda nudged the ball towards Icardi and the Argentine – surrounded by shirts in the six-yard box – made no mistake to notch his 50th goal in Serie A.
Icardi very nearly added his 51st from a corner on 55 minutes, his header unfortunately coming off the underside of the bar.
On the hour mark Brozovic was dispossessed and Miranda fouled Nicola Rigoni, collecting a booking which means he will sit out Sunday's visit to Verona through suspension.
Five minutes later Icardi had another great chance following a magnificent through ball from Nagatomo. The striker held off his man well to make space for the shot only to see Seculin stick out his hand once again.
Eder showed what he's about on 70 minutes. Picking up the ball on the left wing, he burst past Nicolas Spolli on the edge of the box and the defender resorted to sticking out his leg. Yellow card and a free kick to Inter, which Brozovic sent just wide.
With ten minutes left to play, Miranda and Jeison Murillo went close to doubling Inter's lead with headers from successive corners, Seculin pulling off two more smart saves to deny both.
As the game drew to a close Sergio Pellissier found himself in a decent position but thankfully fired wide from Felipe Costa's cross.
Inter thus claimed their first Serie A win since early January to provide a boost ahead of Sunday's visit to Chievo's city rivals Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi.
Inter 1-0 Chievo Verona (HT 0-0)
Scorer: Icardi 48.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 55 Nagatomo, 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 12 Telles; 77 Brozovic (83 Melo 89), 17 Medel, 7 Kondogbia; 23 Eder (22 Ljajic 83), 9 Icardi, 8 Palacio (5 Jesus 76).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 10 Jovetic, 11 Biabiany, 21 Santon, 27 Gnoukouri, 33 D'Ambrosio, 44 Perisic, 83 Melo, 97 Manaj, 99 Correia.
Coach: Giulio Nuciari.
Chievo Verona: 90 Seculin; 21 Frey, 2 Spolli, 12 Cesar, 18 Gobbi; 4 Rigoni, 8 Radovanovic (36 Costa 81), 6 Pinzi (19 Castro 58); 23 Birsa (40 M'Poku 71); 45 Inglese, 31 Pellissier.
Subs not used: 32 Bressan, 98 Confente, 3 Dainelli, 20 Sardo, 29 Cacciatore, 96 Damian.
Coach: Rolando Maran.
Booked: Rigoni 4, Pinzi 30, Eder 51, Miranda 59, Spolli 70, Inglese 72, Nagatomo 73, Castro 75.
Added time: 0+3 minutes.
Referee: Valeri.
Assistants: Marrazzo, Musolino.
Fourth official: Vuoto.
Additional assistants: Celi, Di Paolo.
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LE PAROLE DI AUSILIO POST INTER CHIEVO
