MILAN - Inter were back at San Siro for the first time in 2017, as they entertained ChievoVerona in Week 20 of Serie A.
Despite once again conceding the opening goal, the Nerazzurri rallied to complete a 3-1 win, securing a fifth consecutive victory in the process.
The hosts came out firing right from the off as Perisic narrowly failed to latch onto Candreva's deep cross after just five minutes. Two minutes later, the Nerazzurri threatened again after Kondogbia regained possession. He found Joao Mario who looked to link up with Icardi on the edge of the box yet the Argentine's backheeled reverse pass was intercepted. The captain then nearly gave Inter the lead on 11 minutes: Gagliardini worked the ball wide to Ansaldi whose first-time cross found the head of Icardi and whistled by Sorrentino's right-hand upright.
Gagliardini gave the Inter fans a first example of what he can offer on 18 minutes, drawing a sharp stop from Sorrentino at his near post. The home side continued to pour forward and, after Sorrentino somehow got Candreva's cross-shot clear, D'Ambrosio drilled just wide from the rebound. Either side of the half-hour mark Candreva tried his luck from distance yet Sorrentino was alert on both occasions. Suddenly, however, Chievo took the lead against the run of play, as Pellissier headed in Birsa's corner to break the deadlock shortly before the break.
Gagliardini then went close again on 38 minutes, Sorrentino scrambling across his line to claw the ball away from the corner as the midfielder headed goalwards. Perisic, Candreva and Icardi all looked for a leveller before the half was out but to no avail.
Rolando Maran made a tactical switch for the second period, withdrawing the cautioned Birsa with Izco and moving to a 5-3-2. That reshuffle did nothing to stem the tide though, as Inter continued to take the game to their opponents, while the Gialloblu looked to hit them on the counter. Seven minutes after the interval Sorrentino produced a fabulous reflex save to repel Perisic's header from point-blank range. Ten minutes later, Eder tried his luck with a free-kick from the edge of the box. Sorrentino got down sharply and Dainelli was alert to deny Icardi from finishing from the rebound. The captain, however, came up with the leveller 20 minutes from time via an instinctive finish from Candreva's cross.
Inter kept pushing forward, earning corners and chances in the opposition box with Perisic, Gagliardini and Icardi all having opportunities to add a second. On 85 minutes, the Nerazzurri's persistence was rewarded. Icardi won back possession in midfield and released Perisic who strode into the opposition box before drilling a finish under Sorrentino. Eder made sure of the points deep into stoppage time, applying the finish from an intelligent cutback from susbtitute Palacio.
It all ended in a fifth straight victory for the hosts ahead of Tuesday night's Coppa Italia tie.
Inter 3-1 Chievo (HT: 0-1)
Scorers: Pellissier 34, Icardi 70, Perisic 86, Eder (90+3)
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 24 Murillo, 25
Miranda, 15 Ansaldi (23 Eder 60); 5 Gagliardini, 7 Kondogbia; 87
Candreva (8 Palacio 82), 6 Joao Mario (19 Banega 69), 44 Perisic; 9
Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 2 Andreolli, 11 Biabiany, 21 Santon, 27 Gnoukouri, 55 Nagatomo, 95 Miangue, 96 Barbosa.
Coach: Stefano Pioli.
ChievoVerona: 70 Sorrentino; 21 Frey (2 Spolli 60),
3 Dainelli, 5 Gamberini, 18 Gobbi; 19 Castro (1 De Guzman 72), 8
Radovanovic, 28 Bastien; 23 Birsa (13 Izco 46); 69 Meggiorini, 31
Pellissier.
Subs not used: 32 Bressan, 98 Confente, 12 Cesar, 45 Inglese, 80 Kiyine, 83 Floro Flores, 97 Depaoli.
Coach: Rolando Maran.
Booked: Birsa 32, Radovanovic 62, Spolli 81.
Added time: 1+3 minutes.
Referee: Giacomelli.
Assistants: La Rocca & Tasso.
Fourth official: Schenone.
Additional assistants: Mariani & Nasca.
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