MILAN – Inter won and were convincing to move top of the table. During the 15th match of the Serie A TIM season played at San Siro, the Nerazzurri won 5-0 against ChievoVerona after a spectacular performance signed off by Perisic’s hat-trick, Icardi’s 16th goal of the season and Skriniar also found the net.
It only a took a few seconds for Inter to make themselves dangerous. Perisic got up the left before firing off a powerful right-foot shirt which went out for a corner off Gamberini’s head. From the following corner, Ranocchia leapt highest in the area with his header going just over. In the sixth minute, Candreva was well placed at the far post to receive a cross from Santon but Sorrentino saved his shot. In the eleventh minute, Santon and then Brozovic tried to find the net with both of their efforts missing the target. Three minutes later, the visitors showed what they could do at the other end with a Meggiorini header that Handanovic was ready for. Ranocchia was dangerous again in the 18th minute with a header that went just wide. Finally, the goal to break the deadlock arrived in the 23rd minute. Sorrentino saved Santon’s left-foot shot but couldn’t do anything about Perisic’s flying follow-up on the volley which put the Nerazzurri ahead. In the 28th minute, Joao Mario was set up by Icardi in the area but his attempt was saved as he had the chance to double the lead. Handanovic saved a Cacciatore shot in the 35th minute from a central position and it was Inter who struck again four minutes later. Brozovic played in Icardi who ran into the box and left Sorrentino with no chance to keep out his low shot into the corner. Despite being two goals up, the Nerazzurri finished on the front foot with chances for Brozovic and Joao Mario which were dealt with effectively by the Chievo defence.
The second half began with no changes for either side, although Inter kept pressing hard for further goals. Following two decent chances from Candreva and Perisic, they finally found the back of the net once again in the 57th minute, with the Croatian winger getting the better of Sorrentino with a low and accurate drive. Spalletti’s side then got their fourth just three minutes later, with the superb Skriniar finishing off a Candreva cross with an intelligent header. The Gialloblu tried to respond through Inglese, although his two quick-fire efforts didn’t really trouble Handanovic. Spalletti brought on Eder, Dalbert and Karamoh for the final stages of the match, as they replaced the trio of Icardi, D’Ambrosio and Candreva, with the 53,000 at the San Siro all showing their appreciation with widespread applause. Despite their comfortable lead, the Nerazzurri were increasingly ruthless in the final few minutes. Chances came for Perisic, Brozovic and Karamoh, although it was the Croatian winger who eventually sealed not just the win, but also his hat-trick with a 91st minute finish.
The final whistle soon arrived and so did Inter’s 5-0 triumph over ChievoVerona. The Nerazzurri are now the only side in Serie A left unbeaten, leading the league standings with 39 points (+1 over Napoli). They’ll now focus on what will prove to be an extremely important week, as they take on Juventus at home next Saturday.
INTER 5-0 CHIEVOVERONA
Goalscorers: 23' Perisic, 39' Icardi, 57' Perisic, 60' Skriniar, 91' Perisic
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio (77' 29 Dalbert), 37 Skriniar, 13 Ranocchia, 21 Santon; 20 B. Valero, 10 J. Mario; 87 Candreva (84' 17 Karamoh), 77 Brozovic, 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi (75' 23 Eder)
Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 7 Cancelo, 11 Vecino, 55 Nagatomo, 99 Pinamonti
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
CHIEVOVERONA: 70 Sorrentino; 29 Cacciatore, 5 Gamberini, 3 Dainelli, 18 Gobbi (87' 2 Jaroszynski); 77 Bastien, 4 Rigoni (64' 40 Tomovic), 97 DePaoli; 23 Birsa, 69 Meggiorini (69' 7 Garritano), 45 Inglese
Substitutes: 90 Seculin, 98 Confente, 9 Stepinski, 10 Gaudino, 11 Leris, 12 Cesar, 14 Bani, 20 Pucciarelli, 31 Pellissier
Coach: Rolando Maran
Bookings: Ranocchia (I)
Added time: 0' + 2'
Referee: Calvarese
Assistants: Carbone, Bindoni
Fourth Official: Serra
VAR Operators: Guida, Ranghetti
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