Inter Milan has moved up to seventh place in the Serie A table after defeating a lackluster Roma 2-1 at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri emerged victorious against third-placed Roma in what was an enthralling encounter in front of around 38,000, keeping the club’s hopes of qualifying for the Europa League alive.
Attacking midfielder Hernanes got Inter off to a good start by putting it into the lead after 15 minutes with a sweet strike from the edge of the box. Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan equaled matters within 20 minutes of the restart with a well-hit effort of his own from a similar distance.
It was Argentine talent Mauro Icardi, however, who decided the game after receiving a defence-splitting pass in the box from substitute Lukas Podolski and clinically slotting past veteran keeper Morgan De Sanctis.
Inter Milan
Samir Handanovic – 7: The Slovenian shot stopper was reliable when called upon. Saved a Daniele De Rossi shot from distance during the opening stages of the match as well as getting down well to prevent a Miralem Pjanic free kick from creeping into the bottom corner in the second half.
Danilo D’Ambrosio – 6.5: Made a few good runs down the right side and was mostly efficient in defence when coming up against either Gervinho or Victor Ibarbo.
Andrea Ranocchia – 6.5: The towering centre-back was putting in a composed performance until giving away possession in his own half which led to Roma’s equaliser.
Nemanja Vidic – 7.5: The former Manchester United captain made some vital interceptions and was sound in defence all game.
Juan Jesus – 6.5: Played fairly well considering he is a centre-back playing on the left side of defence. The tough tackling defender locked horns with Victor Ibarbo and, later, Gervinho and won a few, though not all, of those duels.
Marcelo Brozovic – 5: The former Dinamo Zagreb man was too hesitant in possession and often gave the ball away.
Assane Gnoukouri – 6: Was relatively quiet for most of the game and failed to break up opposition attacks. Enjoyed a good spell of possession in the final 15 minutes of the game.
Fredy Guarin – 6: The Colombian was anonymous in the first half. Briefly came alive in the second period, playing some dangerous forward passes.
Hernanes – 6.5: Scored a terrific goal and was lively in the first half. Went missing in the second half though.
Mauro Icardi – 8: Generally made good decisions when on the ball and linked up well with teammates. Emphatically dispatched the winner in the dying stages of the game.
Rodrigo Palacio – 7: Almost played as a left-winger, though got into dangerous positions throughout the match.
Substitutes
Mateo Kovacic – 6.5: Was reliable in possession and helped out in defence.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 5.5: Was wasteful in possession and made some incorrect choices on the ball.
Lukas Podolski – 6.5: The World Cup Winner supplied a wonderful assist for Icardi’s winner. Got involved in the short time he was on the pitch but was a little selfish at times.
AS Roma
Morgan De Sanctis – 6: Largely had nothing to do during the match, however conceded twice and did not have much of a chance at saving either goal.
Alessandro Florenzi – 6.5: Played with a lot of energy down the right. Skied a crucial opportunity in the second half.
Kostas Manolas – 6: Was not his usual best up against Icardi. Was composed in possession though.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – 5.5: Got caught out too many times by through balls. Reacted slowly on many occasions.
Jose Holebas – 6: Made some good runs down the left but his inaccurate crossing meant he did not provide an attacking threat at all.
Radja Nainggolan – 7: The all-action midfielder was in and out of the game. When in it, though, he had a big impact, scoring a nice low-driven shot and being crisp in possession.
Daniele De Rossi – 5.5: Was rarely seen throughout the game. Failed to break down opposition attacks.
Miralem Pjanic – 6: The playmaker was not as influential in this game. Nearly scored a free kick.
Victor Ibarbo – 6: Was often clumsy in possession and lacked final product. Made some good runs, however, and hit the post early on.
Francesco Totti – 5: Roma’s talisman was nowhere to be seen for most of the time he was on the pitch.
Gervinho – 6: Showed pace and trickery at times but lacked final product like Ibarbo.
Substitutes
Seydou Keita – 5.5: Chased shadows for most of the game and had very little impact.
Juan Iturbe – 6: Showed some pace and skill but also had very little impact.
Seydou Doumbia – N/A: Could not make an impact.
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