MILAN - After their Coppa Italia commitments, it was back to Serie A action for Inter, as they hosted Palermo at the Meazza in Week 28. Handanovic came down with the flu, handing a first league start of the campaign to Carrizo. Nagatomo, Miranda, Murillo and D'Ambrosio made up the back four, while midfielders Medel and Kondogbia were tasked with supporting the front four of Ljajic, Perisic, Palacio and captain Icardi.
Inter dominated possession early on, albeit without creating anything noteworthy. The Nerazzurri made the breakthrough down the left flank, as Perisic raced clear before feeding Ljajic. The Serb controlled before working half a yard away from Andelkovic and firing back across goal past Sorrentino.
The game then came to life. Midway through the first half, Vazquez tried an audacious lob from the best part of 50 yards by Carrizo was on his mettle. Inter then broke forward to double their lead. After a sustained spell of pressure in Rosanero territory, Icardi darted back towards the near post to turn home Palacio's cross.
The visitors nearly pulled one back after a fine team move. Gilardino found Hiljemark who flicked the ball into the path of Vazquez: Carrizo got down well to punch clear the Argentine's effort, however.
Icardi might have made it 3-0 moments before the break but was a whisker away from making contact, before Palermo grabbed a lifeline on the stroke of half time. Rispoli streaked clear down the right and his cross dropped perfectly for Vazquez to control a finish from 12 yards.
The second period began with both sides unchanged. Inter faced a scare three minutes into the half, as Chochev's low centre eluded everyone in the penalty area. Inter, though, were clinical on the break on 54 minutes. Palacio played the ball to Kondogbia, before the Frenchman spread it wide to Ljajic. The Serb then fed Icardi who had pulled wide beyond the Rosanero backline. His teasing cross was just too inviting for Perisic, who finished with an emphatic diving header to make it 3-1.
Mancini sent on Brozovic midway through the second half in place of Ljajic and the substitute very nearly laid on a fourth for the hosts on 70 minutes but Sorrentino made an excellent stop to keep out Palacio's header from the Croat's free-kick.
Palermo tried to threaten but both Vazquez and Rispoli shot off target. With 15 minutes to play, the lively Perisic looked for his second and the Nerazzurri's fourth but once again Sorrentino was equal to it, saving the curling effort at his far post. With 10 minutes to play, Carrizo was called into action, saving at the second attempt after substitutes Quaison and Djurdjevic combined.
Inter then saw out the rest of the contest - one-sided throughout - and might have added a fourth had Perisic made better contact with a Biabiany delivery.
Roberto Mancini's side secure a third straight home win in the league after victories over Chievo and Sampdoria. Next up are Bologna. The Rossoblu visit San Siro on Saturday 12 March.
Inter 3-1 Palermo (HT: 2-1)
Scorers: Ljajic 11, Icardi 23, Vazquez 45, Perisic 54.
Inter: 30 Carrizo; 55 Nagatomo, 25 Miranda, 24
Murillo, 33 D'Ambrosio; 17 Medel (83 Melo 87), 7 Kondogbia; 44 Perisic,
8 Palacio (11 Biabiany 78), 22 Ljajic (77 Brozovic 66); 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 46 Berni, 98 Radu, 5 Jesus, 12 Telles, 21 Santon, 23 Eder, 27 Gnoukouri, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Palermo: 70 Sorrentino; 2 Vitiello, 12 Gonzalez, 4
Andelkovic; 3 Rispoli (22 Balogh 83), 10 Hiljemark, 25 Maresca, 18
Chochev (21 Quaison 68), 97 Pezzella; 20 Vazquez, 11 Gilardino (99
Djurdjevic 70).
Subs not used: 1 Posavec, 53 Alastra, 9 Bentivenga, 15 Cionek, 16 Brugman, 23 Struna, 24 Cristante, 28 Jajalo, 77 Morganella.
Coach: Giuseppe Iachini.
Booked: Medel 57, Gonzalez 70.
Added time: 1+4 minutes.
Referee: Russo.
Assistants: De Luca & Marrazzo.
Fourth official: Crispo.
Additional assistants: Calvarese & Di Paolo.
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
