Inter Milan kept the pressure on AS Roma and moved ahead of Fiorentina momentarily into fourth spot following a narrow victory against Roberto Donadoni’s Bologna at the San Siro.
The match did not start well for the home side, with captain Mauro Icardi having to be substituted on 11 minutes after pulling up lame when overextending himself in an attempt to reach Eder’s cross-cum-shot early on.
It took 72 minutes for the game’s opening goal, eventually coming through Croatian winger Ivan Perišic off a corner. Marcelo Brozovic was the man who delivered it into the box, with Danilo D’Ambrosio heading it on target and into Perišic’s path on the goal-line for him to convert without fuss.
It took just four minutes for the Nerazzurri to extend their lead, with another corner coming in from Brozovic that reached the head of João Miranda. The Brazilian then played it across goal to set up D’Ambrosio with a volley that left Antonio Mirante helpless in goal for the away side.
With the final seconds of the match ticking down, a misplaced pass from Geoffrey Kondogbia in Inter’s half allowed the Rossoblu to launch a counter-attack deep in enemy territory that was well finished off by substitute Franco Brienza. However, it proved too little too late and Roberto Mancini’s side secured its fourth win out of five in all competitions.
The victory keeps Inter’s Champions League hopes alive for the time being, while ninth-place Bologna’s five match unbeaten run in Serie A is snapped.
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Formations
Samir Handanovic returned in goal for Juan Pablo Carrizo after recovering from the flu, with Juan Jesus replacing Jeison Murillo at centre-back, Brozovic being restored to the Inter midfield at the expense of Kondogbia, and Eder returning to the starting XI in Rodrigo Palacio’s place. The 4-2-3-1 formation Mancini utilised at home to Palermo last week remained in place for this encounter.
Inter Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Handanovic (GK); D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Juan, Nagatomo; Brozovic, Medel; Ljajic, Eder, Perišic; Icardi
With Bologna also maintaining their shape from the previous fixture against Carpi, Donadoni made just two personnel changes. Adam Masina replaced former AC Milan defender Kévin Constant at left-back, while 23-year-old Luca Rizzo came into the side in the place of Anthony Mounier.
Bologna XI (4-3-3): Mirante (GK); Mbaye, Gastaldello, Maietta, Masina; Donsah, Diawara, Taïder; Rizzo, Destro, Giaccherini
Inter dominant on set-pieces and out wide
Most of Internazionale’s success throughout the 90 minutes when attacking came from set-pieces and from the flanks. Both goals the home side converted came from corners, and most of the chances created by Mancini’s men were generated out wide.
From corners Inter’s height prevailed, with Perišic and D’Ambrosio the main beneficiaries from the tall timber at the manager’s disposal. Out wide, the home side attempted 38 crosses in comparison to Bologna’s 11, and most of the penetration into the Rossoblu’s box came from these areas. Add this to the fact that the hosts boasted a dominance in aerial duels of 62% compared to 38% and it is clear to see where the Nerazzurri’s success stemmed from in this match.
Despite having kept the home side from attacking through central areas, Bologna were susceptible to attacks from wide and set-pieces.
Bologna have luck on counter-attack
For all the good work the Milanese club did in its defensive third, one late counter-attack from Donadoni’s side proved enough to pierce the Nerazzurri back-four and find its way past Handanovic.
A sloppy pass from 23-year-old Frenchman Kondogbia was intercepted by Rizzo, leading the Rossoblu high press, which then launched the counter-attack that eventually led to a deflected finish from 36-year-old Brienza landing in the back of the net.
The goal was just a consolation, though, but it did prove Inter are vulnerable when tasked with defending counter-attacks, and showcased the away side’s efficiency in this department, at least for this game.
Tight Inter defence keeps timid Bologna at bay despite late concession
Apart from the late error that led to Brienza’s stoppage time goal, the home side showed its prowess in defence once more, limiting Bologna to just one shot on target (not including blocked shots) throughout the whole game.
Admittedly, though, Donadoni’s men made it easy for Inter to defend against them. Prior to this match, the Emilia-Romagna based side had failed to score in its last three outings, drawing 0-0 with Juventus, Palermo and Carpi. Before that, Bologna had scored just twice in three matches.
Although Inter defended as a unit and kept the away side from gaining too much territory in their own defensive third, they were aided by the Rossoblu’s ineptutude in attack.
Conclusion
A fourth consecutive Serie A victory at home has enhanced the backing towards the home side. The Nerazzurri’s efficiency from out wide has become a key feature in the team as of late, though the side must collectively remain focused throughout the entirety of the match.
In ninth place and on 36 points, it would take more than a disaster to see Bologna make a swift return to Serie B. Improvement in defending on set-pieces is needed, however, as well as an increase in attacking impetus. Whatever Donadoni is telling his charges, though, does seem to be working.
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