MILAN – Inter were made to settle for a point against Bologna after Roberto Donadoni’s side held them to a 1-1 draw at San Siro on Sunday afternoon.
Though the Nerazzurri were the better team for much of the contest, it was Mattia Destro who drew first blood, slotting home in the 14th minute. Ivan Perisic levelled the scores with a sumptuous volley eight minutes before the half-time whistle, but despite Inter’s efforts they were unable to find a winner after the break.
Frank de Boer was forced to rejig his team late on after Jeison Murillo and Joao Mario were both ruled out with injury, the Dutchman bringing in Andrea Ranocchia and Senna Miangue to plug the gaps.
The last-minute adjustments didn’t seem to phase Inter, however, as they started brightly. The first chance of the match came in just the third minute, Ever Banega finding the head of Mauro Icardi from a free kick only for the Inter captain to send his effort over the crossbar.
There was real zip to the Nerazzurri’s play, but they found themselves behind on 14 minutes as Simone Verdi found Destro in the box, with the Italian slotting coolly past Samir Handanovic for 1-0.
Inter kept their cool and set about finding an equaliser, Perisic sending two efforts just wide in quick succession.
The Bologna backline was defending well, but there was nothing they could do to stop Perisic drawing Inter level in the 37th minute. From his usual position on the right flank, Candreva sent over a deep cross to the far post, where the lurking Croat dispatching a stunning volley back across goal and into the net.
Inter pushed for a second before half time, but Da Costa twice denied Candreva before Icardi lashed a right-footed volley wide of the post.
The Nerazzurri continued to take the game to Bologna after the break, though a series of chances went begging as De Boer’s side were frustrated time and again by a mix of good defending, wasteful finishing and plain bad luck.
Perisic was a constant thorn in Bologna’s side and proved once again why he is so central to the Nerazzurri cause on 70 minutes. Starting from the left, the Croat barrelled inside before checking back, leaving three Bologna defenders on the deck. Perisic then set up Miangue for a cross, which the winger headed just wide as San Siro was rising to its feet to celebrate.
Sensing that Donadoni’s side were there for the taking, De Boer threw on Gabriel Barbosa for the excellent Antonio Candreva. Inter continued to press, Eder finding the head of Icardi only for the captain to send it just over, before Maurito squandered a great chance to win it from Perisic’s cross.
There was one more chance to come for Inter – and it was perhaps the best of the entire match. With the clock ticking down, Perisic whipped in a pinpoint cross towards the danger area. Andrea Ranocchia found himself in acres of space right in front of goal, but could only head wide of the post with the goal gaping.
It proved to be the last action of the match, as Inter had to make do with a point.
INTER 1-1 BOLOGNA (HT: 1-1)
Scorers: Destro 14, Perisic 37.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon, 25 Miranda, 13 Ranocchia, 95 Miangue; 17 Medel, 7 Kondogbia (Gnoukouri 28); 87 Candreva (Barbosa 74), 19 Banega (Eder 65), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 5 Melo, 8 Palacio, 10 Jovetic, 15 Ansaldi, 33 D'Ambrosio, 55 Nagatomo, 94 Yao.
Coach: Frank de Boer.
BOLOGNA: 1 Da Costa; 4 Krafth (Masina 79), 28 Gastaldello (Oikonomou 63), 20 Maietta, 35 Torosidis; 16 Nagy (Pulgar 52), 8 Taider, 31 Dzemaili; 9 Verdi, 10 Destro, 11 Krejci.
Subs not used: 34 Ravaglia, 97 Sarr, 7 Mounier, 15 Mbaye, 17 Donsah, 18 Helander, 22 Rizzo, 24 Ferrari, 26 Floccari.
Coach: Roberto Donadoni
Yellow cards: Gastaldello 20, Da Costa 34, Pulgar 62.
Added time: 1 + 5 mins.
Referee: Celi.
Assistants: Cariolato, Alassio.
Fourth official: Lo Cicero.
Additional assistants: Giacomelli, Saia.
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