MILAN - Six minutes of heart-pounding action in which literally everything happened proved decisive in the match between Inter and Sampdoria. Luciano Spalletti’s side won 2-1 in a lively match in front of 55,127 fans at the Stadio Meazza. Goals from D’Ambrosio and Nainggolan were enough to beat the Ligurian side after Gabbiadini had equalised. The three points see the Nerazzurri consolidate third spot on 46 points, four ahead of AC Milan.
Inter started the match well. In the fourth minute, Brozovic’s corner from the left was headed on by Perisic and Audero made his first save of the evening. Two minutes later, Lautaro got on the end of a magnificent long ball from Gagliardini but Audero saved. Inter were on the attack in the eleventh minute: Politano fired after a quick break but couldn’t keep it on target. Sampdoria gained in confidence with a Quagliarella free kick blocked by the wall in the 18th minute, while Handanovic had to clear with his feet after 21 minutes following a scramble in the box. Inter were dangerous once again in the 29th minute with a powerful but inaccurate Dalbert strike before Nainggolan fired just wide a few minutes after. In the 35th minute, Sampdoria went close to opening the scoring when Linetty played in Saponara, but his shot across goal went wide. Audero almost made a howler in the 37th minute when he spilled a Perisic shot, but he managed to recover and collect the ball on the line. Just before the whistle, Skriniar found the net with a magnificent volley. However, the goal was disallowed due to D’Ambrosio being offside earlier and the sides went off with the score at 0-0.
The visitors had the first chance of the second half once the two teams emerged from the changing room, with Handanovic being forced to produce a tremendous save to deny Defrel from close range. In the 50th minute, D’Ambrosio met Politano’s corner but wasn’t able to direct it on target. Four minutes later, neither Lautaro nor Gagliardini were able to convert Perisic’s inviting ball across the penalty area. As the hour-mark approached, Spalletti made his first change as Joao Mario came on for Gagliardini. After 68 minutes, Politano came close to giving the Nerazzurri the lead but his vicious left-footed strike went narrowly wide. He was then promptly replaced by Candreva as Spalletti shook things up again. Inter were increasing the pressure and came close twice, first through Candreva and then through Perisic, with the Croatian seeing his shot pushed away for a corner by Audero. In the 73rd minute, Inter found the opener: D’Ambrosio ghosted in at the far post and found the back of the net following great work by Perisic. Giampaolo then sent Gabbiadini onto the pitch in response. It was an inspired substitution as the former Southampton player levelled things up with a low left-footed strike after a scramble in the Nerazzurri’s penalty area. Inter’s response was excellent, however: San Siro exploded once more as Nainggolan fired home a beautiful strike from the edge of the box following an Inter corner. Sampdoria then pressed at the end, but the Nerazzurri held firm until the full-time final whistle in the 95th minute. The match thus finished Inter 2-1 Sampdoria!
Inter’s attention will now turn to Thursday evening, when they will play their second-leg match at the Round of 32 stage of the Europa League at home to Rapid Vienna. Following this, a trip to Florence awaits on Sunday.
#ForzaInter forever!
INTER 2-1 SAMPDORIA
Goalscorers: 73' D'Ambrosio (I), 76' Gabbiadini (S), 79' Nainggolan (I)
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 6 De Vrij, 37 Skriniar, 29 Dalbert; 5 Gagliardini (59' 15 Joao Mario), 77 Brozovic; 16 Politano (68' 87 Candreva), 14 Nainggolan (89' 8 Vecino), 44 Perisic; 10 Lautaro
Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 13 Ranocchia, 18 Asamoah, 20 Borja Valero, 21 Cedric, 23 Miranda
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
SAMPDORIA: 1 Audero, 24 Bereszynski (81' 7 Sala), 15 Andersen, 26 Tonelli, 29 Murru; 10 Praet, 6 Ekdal (81' 4 Vieira), 16 Linetty; 5 Saponara (75' 23 Gabbiadini) ; 27 Quagliarella, 92 Defrel
Substitutes: 33 Rafael, 72 Belec, 12 Bahlouli, 15 Colley, 20 Sau, 22 Tavares, 25 Ferrari
Coach: Marco Giampaolo
Bookings: D'Ambrosio (I), Perisic (I), Linetty (S), Skriniar (I)
Added time: 2' + 5'
Referee: Doveri
Assistants: Carbone, Del Giovane
Fourth official: Aureliano
VAR officials: Calvarese, Vivenzi
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia 中文版 Versione Italiana
