PALERMO – Inter made it six wins from six in the league with a 1-0 defeat of Palermo at the Stadio Renzo Barbera on Sunday afternoon.
After a goalless first half, the Nerazzurri took the lead in the 65th minute as Joao Mario calmly slotted home from close range. Cristian Ansaldi was sent off for a second bookable offence ten minutes from time, but there was to be no denying the Nerazzurri.
Palermo started brightly, with Quaison forcing Miranda into some early defensive duties. Murillo and Brozovic were both called into action soon afterwards, as the home side looked to keep the pressure up on Inter.
The Nerazzurri promptly whirred into life, with Icardi first drawing a good save from Posavec, then teeing up Candreva only for the Italian to watch his fierce effort palmed away by the man in the Palermo goal. Inter’s best chance of the half came on 26 minutes, as Posavec’s parried Brozovic’s shot straight at Icardi – yet the Argentine could only nod over the bar.
As Inter took control, so Palermo began to look more threatening on the counter, with both Quaison and Jajalo squandering chances. There was time for one more chance for the Nerazzurri before half time, but Icardi’s free-kick fizzed just over the bar.
Neither side made any changes at half time, but the energy that characterised the first 45 minutes was clearly lacking after the break and Stefano Pioli soon called for Joao Mario, with Ever Banega the man making way. The Nerazzurri began to exert more and more pressure on the Palermo goal, with Perisic and Icardi left shaking their heads as the chances went begging.
Inter’s moment came five minutes after the hour mark: Candreva’s cross from the right fell to Joao Mario in the box, with the Portuguese side footing home from a yard or two out to hand his side a vital 1-0 lead.
The Nerazzurri took control of the game following the goal, but there were choppy waters ahead as Ansaldi was shown a second yellow card after a coming together with Nestorovski. Palermo roused themselves and poured forward, but Inter stood firm. The numbers were briefly evened up as Gazzi was shown a second yellow card five minutes into added time, with Inter happy to wind down the clock to secure another three points.
PALERMO 0-1 Inter (HT: 0:0)
Scorers: Joao Mario 65.
PALERMO: 1 Posavec; 15 Cionek, 12 Gonzalez, 6 Goldaniga; 3 Rispoli (Diamanti 77), 25 Henrique (Balogh 70), 14 Gazzi, 28 Jajalo (Chochev 81), 97 Pezzella; 21 Quaison; 30 Nestorovski.
Subs not used: 55 Marson, 2 Vitiello, 4 Andelkovic, 8 Trajkovski, 11 Embalo, 19 Aleesami, 27 Bentivenga, 89 Morganella, 98 Lo Faso.
Coach: Eugenio Corini.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 24 Murillo, 25 Miranda, 15 Ansaldi; 5 Gagliardini, 77 Brozovic; 87 Candreva (Santon 82), 19 Banega (Joao Mario 56), 44 Perisic (Kondogbia 76); 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 2 Andreolli, 8 Palacio, 11 Biabiany, 13 Ranocchia, 17 Medel, 23 Eder, 55 Nagatomo, 96 Barbosa.
Coach: Stefano Pioli.
Yellow cards: Nestorovski 19, Ansaldi 21, D'Ambrosio 35, Goldaniga 43, Gazzi 63, Balogh 78, Diamanti 83, Quaison 90.
Red cards: Ansaldi 80, Gazzi 90+5
Added time: 2 + 5 minutes.
Referee: Irrati.
Assistants: Paganessi, Peretti.
Fourth official: Marrazzo.
Additional assistants: Banti, La Penna.
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