Serie A
Late Winner From Icardi Earns Inter Derby Day Spoils
An injury time goal from Mauro Icardi helped Inter defeat Milan in the Derby della Madonnina.
The game looked destined to finish goalless until Icardi popped up late on to head home a cross from Matias Vecino.
Milan will be frustrated in the way they conceded the goal.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma came out to catch Vecino’s cross but totally misjudged the flight of the ball.
That allowed Icardi to head home into an empty net from just six yards out.
The goal was no more than Inter deserved as they dominated large spells of the game.
Luciano Spalletti’s men have now won their last five Serie A games as they closed the gap to Juventus at the top of the table.
Inter’s Dominance
Inter thought they had taken the lead after just 11 minutes. A whipped cross in by Marcelo Brozovic was flicked on by Vecino.
The ball found it’s way to Mauro Icardi who bundled the ball into the net. However, the Argentine had just strayed offside.
Midway through the first half Inter were inches away from opening the scoring.
A corner swung in was headed on by Ivan Perisic inside the penalty area. The ball fell to Stefan de Vrij who’s left footed shot struck the right hand post.
Inter were by far the better side and posed more of a threat going forward.
After 38 minutes Icardi almost gave Inter the lead. A brilliant whipped cross by Sime Vrsaljko almost found Icardi but the Argentine couldn’t get any contact on the ball and divert it goalwards.
Against the run of play Milan thought they had scored. A cross in by Suso was flicked on by Alessio Romagnoli into the path of Mateo Musacchio. He fired the ball into the net but like Icardi had strayed offside.
Late Winner From Icardi Yet Again
The second half was a much more scrappy affair with neither side able to generate any quality in attack.
Inter’s best chance fell to midfielder Matias Vecino but he couldn’t keep his header down from close range.
Milan’s best opportunity came with just ten minutes remaining. A cross swung in by Ricardo Rodriguez found Suso inside the box.
The Spaniard turned and hit a shot from 15 yards out but his shot lacked power and was easily saved by Samir Handanovic in the Inter goal.
Just as the game looked like it was heading towards a goalless stalemate, up stepped Mauro Icardi to score another late winner in the Derby della Madonnina.
A hopeful ball into the box by Vecino looked like it was going to be caught by Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, the young Italian misjudged the flight of the ball, which allowed Icardi to sneak in at the back post and head into an empty net from six yards out.
It was heartbreak for Milan but on the balance of play Inter deserved the victory.
Injuries A Concern With Barca Looming
Inter boss Luciano Spalletti will be delighted with the victory. The result keeps the momentum that Inter have started to gain over the last month.
Also, with Juventus dropping their first points of the Serie A season, it closes the gap on the defending champions.
The victory was no more than they deserved as they looked a threat going forward throughout the match.
They were in particular impressive in the first half and would have been wondering how they didn’t lead at the break.
Inter’s second half performance was flat but they battled to the end which is starting to become a trait under Spalletti.
The only downside to their victory was the injuries picked up by Ivan Perisic and Radja Nainggolan.
Nainggolan was taken off halfway through the first half, while Perisic left the field in the second.
With Barcelona on the horizon on Wednesday evening, Spalletti will be desperately hoping to have two of his most influential players available.
Still No Clean Sheet For Milan
Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso will be hugely frustrated at conceding so late on.
His side looked like they were finally going to earn a clean sheet in Serie A.
However, just like last season they were undone by a late Milan Derby winner from Mauro Icardi.
There will be question marks over Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s part in the goal.
When a keeper comes for a cross or a corner they have to be sure that they are going to catch or punch it away.
But on this occasion Donnarumma lost track of the flight of the ball and allowed Icardi to head into an empty net.
Still only 19 years of age Donnarumma has made some mistakes in the last couple of seasons. But he is still a great talent who will only get better with experience.
Milan looked more defensively organized and Gattuso sacrified their more attacking approach.
Instead they tried to hit Inter on the counter attack but too often they failed to create any clear chances, with Gonzalo Higuain largely isolated up front.
At the back Alessio Romagnoli was impressive until he failed to track the run of Icardi for Inter’s winner.
Gattuso will know there is a lot for Milan’s young back line to learn and this experience will stand them in good stead.
Next up they face Real Betis at the San Siro in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Inter face the daunting trip to the Nou Camp to take on Barcelona in the Champions League.
Photo credit to Donq question via Flickr
