GENOA – Inter slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Genoa on Wednesday night after a 77th-minute Sebastian De Maio strike gave the hosts all three points at Marassi.
Roberto Mancini went with Icardi and Palacio up front, Brozovic, Melo, Medel and Perisic in midfield and D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo and Telles in front of Handanovic at the back as he looked to build on Saturday’s excellent win over Napoli at San Siro.
There was a rip-roaring start to the game, Telles and Suso orchestrating early chances at either end of a pumping Marassi. The Nerazzurri had an incredible chance in the third minute: Miranda showed nifty feet to buy a yard in the box and cross for Perisic at the far post, but the Croat’s header was cleared by Lamanna and Brozovic’s searing volleyed rebound fizzed tantalisingly over the bar.
Both sides were looking to press high and close space down, with neither team able to create many chances for a spell as a result. On 25 minutes, Medel played Palacio in behind the Genoa defence, only for the Argentine’s pull-back to be cleared by Lamanna and De Maio before Icardi could apply the finish.
The chances started to come thick and fast for Inter: first Icardi saw his header cleared off the line by Munoz, then Perisic stole in at the far post only to see his own headed effort fisted behind by Lamanna.
Genoa rallied and drew a gasp from Marassi with time ticking down to the break, Pavoletti heading towards goal from point-blank range only for Handanovic to beat it away. Back down the other end, Medel gathered well to fire goalwards from the edge of the box, but it was deflected away from goal and soon afterwards the half-time whistle sounded out around Marassi.
Neither side made any chances in the interval but the chances continued to flow, with both sides enjoying sighters in the early exchanges. Inter were again left cursing Lamanna on 66 minutes, Brozovic gathering on the right side of the six-yard box only for the Genoa goalie to dive out to block his cross for Palacio.
Mancini sent Eder on for Perisic on 73 minutes, but it was Genoa who began to seize the initiative, Handanovic having to be at his best to deny Tachtsidis’ rasping effort. Yet it was from the resultant corner that the hosts took the lead: De Maio rose well and headed back across goal for the lurking De Maio to smash home for 1-0.
The Nerazzurri streamed forward in the final exchanges, with Eder unlucky not to bag an equaliser deep into stoppage time, but there was to be no late plot twist and it was the men in red and blue celebrating come the final whistle.
GENOA 1-0 INTER (HT: 0-0)
Scorers: De Maio 77.
GENOA: 23 Lamanna; 24 Munoz, 4 De Maio, 15 Marchese; 3 Ansaldi, 31 Dzemaili (Fiamozzi 89), 30 Rigoni (Tachtsidis 67), 34 Silva; 93 Laxalt, 19 Pavoletti, 17 Suso (Capel 72).
Subs not used: 32 Donnarumma, 39 Sommariva, 11 Cerci, 18 Ntcham, 35 Corniselli, 37 Panico, 42 Matavz, 54 Sandro, 97 Ghiglione.
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 12 Telles (Jovetic 80); 83 Melo, 17 Medel; 8 Palacio (Ljajic 89), 77 Brozovic, 44 Perisic (Eder 73); 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 5 Jesus, 11 Biabiany, 21 Santon, 27 Gnoukouri, 55 Nagatomo, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Yellow cards: Munoz 56, Medel 80, Tachtsidis 80, Brozovic 87.
Added time: 2 + 3 minutes.
Referee: Irrati.
Assistants: Costanzo, La Rocca.
Fourth official: Marzaloni.
Additional assistants: Tagliavento, Baracani.
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