“It Was A Good Performance And We Really Needed This But We Could’ve Killed The Game Off Earlier"

Written By Onyeka Daniel

For the first time this season, former Serie A champions, Inter Milan were able to string together two straight wins after their win over Sassuolo at the San Siro, surviving a late scare from a team that has beaten them in thrkr last two previous encounters.

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Federico Dimarco had opened the scoring on a smart Petar Sucic lay-off, while Arijanet Muric kept the scoreline down with a series of saves, until a deflection off Tarik Muharemovic on a Carlos Augusto effort left him stranded but it was far from over for the Neroverdi.

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Instead, second half substitute Walid Cheddira got them back in the running by completing a give and go with Domenico Berardi but the home side held on for the win to ease the pressure on Cristian Chivu who felt that they could’ve killed off the game earlier.

The pressure was piling on the Nerazzurri after two consecutive Serie A defeats to Udinese and Juventus, although some respite was provided by the midweek 2-0 Champions League victory away to Ajax and then Davide Frattesi also had the ball in the net, but was flagged offside on the rebound from a parried Dimarco shot.

“The positives are the victory, as we really needed this, and it was also a good performance. We could’ve killed the game off earlier, but we were up against a goalkeeper having a remarkable night.” Chivu began in his post match interview with DAZN.

“When they score late on, inevitably that creates tension, but we tried to play our football and create chances. We suffered to the end and that’s a good thing. The most important thing was to win tonight. I think the team can do better, we can move the ball faster, attack the space better.”

“Though obviously it’s not easy when the opposition sits deep in defence. We showed character, determination, the right attitude, and there was some quality too. We created the opportunities to seal the win earlier, but the goalkeeper made so many good saves.” He continued.

The best was from point-blank range on a Pio Esposito overhead kick, which would’ve been the Inter youth academy product’s first Serie A goal in his second consecutive start. “He gave a response on the field, both in Amsterdam and tonight.” Chivu said about the 20-year-old.

“Despite being so young, he handles the pressure well, he can also handle the physical duel on the pitch, and works hard for the team. I’m very pleased with how he is doing. It was a debate in Amsterdam, as Marcus Thuram was holding up the ball and Pio was picking up the rebounds.” He continued.

“Whereas I told them it ought to be the other way around. He knows how to play with his back to goal and hold off defenders. Ange Bonny is also doing very well and can do a bit of everything. It means all four forwards can work together.” There was some squad rotation as Josep Martinez was given his season debut, resting Yann Sommer.

“I said that I have two valid goalkeepers who help each other and I stand by that. The objective today was to give him minutes on the field and make sure he was fully settled in, because I would hate for us to be left with no alternatives. Yann remains our first choice, Pep will be given chances to play too, it’s not right to only wait until the Coppa Italia to give him time on the pitch.”

The Curva Nord remains on strike, sitting in silence in the stands of San Siro, except they made one exception this evening to chant for Chivu. “I am pleased when they encourage the fans and give energy to this squad, because these are important elements that the lads need,” noted the coach.

As for the duo of Dimarco and Carlos Augusto, they acknowledged that the win was a crucial boost for Inter’s Serie A prospects. “It was important to get a win, as we needed to bring home points, because we are Inter,” Dimarco told DAZN Italia in his post match interview.

“They were two disappointing defeats, but it is a very long season, we just have to take it one step at a time and see where we are at the end. They were leading 1-0 at the break, during which Carlos Augusto had said in the half-time interview that this was a ‘b****rd’ result with many risks.

“I said at half-time it was a horrible result, leading 1-0, and it was confirmed again today, but we did everything possible to bring home the win,” Carlos Augusto told DAZN Italia. The Brazilian normally played as a left wing-back as an alternative to Dimarco, but today proved he can surge forward and score from the back three too.

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“It is good to be able to play more than one role. The way we play, in a very attacking style, there are similarities between playing as a centre-back or a wing-back.” He further added. Up next for the Nerazzurri will be an away fixture against Cagliari on the 27th, over the weekend.

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