MILAN – Inter got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Bologna at San Siro. Goals from Eder and Karamoh were enough although former Inter great Rodrigo Palacio momentarily put his side back on level terms. The three points take Luciano Spalletti's team ahead of Lazio and into third place in the table with 48 points.
It only took two minutes for the Nerazzurri to take the lead. Karamoh played in Brozovic and his low cross was converted by Eder who did well to get there ahead of everyone else at the front post. With the deadlock broken, Inter continued to press. In the 11th minute, Brozovic headed goalwards from Cancelo's cross but it went just wide. Bologna worked Handanovic for the first time after 25 minutes when Masina crossed from the left and Palacio put his header on target but the Slovenian goalkeeper – captain on the day – dived at full stretch to push the ball away. Just 120 seconds later, the visitors found an equaliser. Palacio capitalised on an error in possession from Miranda, broke into the box and left Handanovic with no chance. Inter reacted through Perisic after 34 minutes when the Croatian intercepted inside the Rossoblu half and drew a save from Mirante with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area. 41 minutes in, Karamoh broke down right and his cross was put behind for a corner by the Bologna defence. That was the last action of the first half and saw the sides head in for the break at 1-1.
Upon return from the changing rooms, Spalletti sent on Lisandro Lopez for his debut with Miranda injured. Inter pressed on the accelerator straight away. In the 48th minute, D’Ambrosio hit the bar after a corner from the right before Skriniar then narrowly missed the target when trying to turn in the rebound. Perisic then had a great chance in the 53rd minute. Eder crossed it onto the Croatian’s head who redirected it over. Spalletti brought Rafinha on for Brozovic and the Nerazzurri went back ahead in the 63rd minute. Karamoh played a one-two with the substitute Rafinha and let fly with a great left-foot strike from the edge of the area that left Mirante with no chance. Two minutes later, Rafinha and Karamoh linked up once more but Mirante used his feet to save from the French player after he was set up by the Brazilian. The away side were reduced to ten men in the 68th minute, with Mbaye bringing down Rafinha and duly receiving his second yellow card. Bologna did however threaten in the 77th minute, as Dzemaili made his way past Cancelo and chipped a dangerous cross to the back post. With just three minutes remaining, Handanovic was called into action once again to keep out a fine strike from Palacio. As the game entered added time, VAR was called upon following a challenge on Lopez, with the referee showing Masina a straight red card. The match finally reached its 99th minute before the whistle went, with Inter securing a hard-fought 2-1 win.
Inter will be back in action on Saturday 17th February, taking on Davide Ballardini’s Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at 20:45 CET.
INTER 2-1 BOLOGNA
Goalscorers: 2' Eder (I), 25' Palacio (B), 63' Karamoh (I)
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 7 Cancelo, 37 Skriniar, 25 Miranda (46' 2 Lisandro), 33 D'Ambrosio; 11 Vecino, 20 B. Valero, 77 Brozovic (59' 8 Rafinha); 17 Karamoh, 23 Eder, 44 Perisic (73' 5 Gagliardini)
Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 13 Ranocchia, 21 Santon, 29 Dalbert, 87 Candreva, 99 Pinamonti
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
BOLOGNA: 83 Mirante; 15 Mbaye, 3 Gonzalez, 6 De Maio, 25 Masina; 16 Poli (72' 35 Torosidis), 5 Pulgar, 7 Dzemaili; 8 Orsolini (65' 21 Falletti), 24 Palacio, 14 Di Francesco (81' 19 Avenatti)
Substitutes: 29 Santurro, 2 Nagy, 4 Krafth, 10 Destro, 11 Krejci, 12 Crisetig, 18 Helander, 33 Keita Cheick, 77 Donsah
Coach: Roberto Donadoni
Bookings: Palacio (B), Mbaye (B), D'Ambrosio (I)
Red cards: 68' Mbaye (B) second yellow card, 94' Masina straight red (B)
Added time: 1' + 4'
Referee: Valeri
Assistants: Bindoni and Longo
Fourth Official: Sacchi
VAR operators: La Penna, Vivenzi
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