Sesto San Giovanni – After starting the new year on a high with victory in the Supercoppa, Stefano Vecchi's U19s tasted more success in their first Primavera 1 TIM league match of 2018 which also marked the halfway point of the season. Bologna were beaten 2-1 despite the Nerazzurri playing with ten men for over 40 minutes after Pissardo was sent off.
The Nerazzurri flew out of the traps and scored the opening goal after just six minutes. Emmers crossed from the right, Belkheir got the flick on and Zaniolo struck to beat a hesitant Ravaglia and make it 1-0. Inter wanted to put the game to bed straight away but Ravaglia redeemed himself by saving from Belkheir's close range attempt during a goal-mouth scramble and then Zaniolo found the back of the net again with a powerful shot across the 'keeper only to see the linesman's flag raised for offside.
The only real scare for Pissardo during the first half came when Kingsley volleyed just wide of the goal. Bettella went close following a corner just before half time and then Lombardoni almost put Pissardo in trouble with an unfortunate deflection but there was no further change in the score before the referee blew for half time.
There was a shock for Stefano Vecchi's boys just after the break when, after just three minutes, Pissardo was shown a straight red card for a foul outside the area on Pattarello. The Nerazzurri coach was forced to swap Schirò for Dekic and Bologna were suddenly on the front foot with the free-kick from Avenatti, but he could only find the outside of the net. Inter found themselves in a game and the visitors began to play their best stuff as they looked for the equaliser.
It was Avenatti who made it 1-1 when he controlled Valencia's cross and then shot left-footed past Dekic. Inter did not lose their heads, however, and they worked hard and went again, always looking for the victory. The efforts of Lombardoni and co were rewarded six minutes from time with some great play from Rover who set up Emmers to shoot powerfully and accurately across the 'keeper to put Inter back in front. The Belgian midfielder's strike earned the Nerazzurri a vital win to keep pace with Atalanta at the top of the league.
INTER-BOLOGNA 2-1
Goalscorers: 6' Zaniolo, 71' Avenatti, 84' Emmers
INTER: 1 Pissardo; 2 Zappa, 4 Bettella, 6 Lombardoni, 3 Corrado; 7 Schirò (48' Dekic 12), 5 Rada, 8 Emmers; 10 Zaniolo; 9 Belkheir (62' Rover 20), 11 Colidio (81' Mutton 22).
Substitutes: 21 Tintori, 13 Rizzo, 14 Valietti, 15 Nolan, 16 Pompetti, 17 Gavioli, 18 Danso, 19 Brignoli, 23 Adorante.
Coach: Stefano Vecchi
BOLOGNA: 1 Ravaglia, 2 Cassandro, 3 Frabotta, 4 Mazza (62' Stanzani 17), 5 Brignani, 6 Busi, 7 Valencia (81' Djibril 16), 8 Cozzari, 9 Avenatti, 10 Kingsley, 11 Pattarello (85' Uhunamure 18).
Substitutes: 12 Peqini, 13 De Luca, 14 Balde, 15 Mantovani.
Coach: Emanuele Troise
Bookings: Schirò (37'), Kingsley (58')
Red cards: Pissardo (48')
Added time: 0' - 3'
Referee: Daniele De Santis (Lecce)
Assistant referees: Berti and Cecchi
