Inter Milan defeated Pescara 2-1 at the Stadio Adriatico, with captain Mauro Icardi scoring both goals for the Nerazzurri.
The 23-year-old has been in fine form thus far in 2016-17, now netting three times in as many games. However, it was PSG loanee Jean-Christophe Bahebeck who drew first blood, with a calm finish to put the hosts ahead momentarily on the hour-mark.
Icardi took matters into his own hands just 15 minutes later, with his first of the match coming from a glancing header and his second hitting the back of the net following a well-hit volley in stoppage time, securing maximum points for Frank de Boer’s men.
Pescara and Inter now sit in eighth and 11th respectively, with four points each from three games.
Inspirational Handanovic and lethal Icardi are still Inter’s key men
The two were arguably Inter’s most vital players for the Nerazzurri in 2015-16 and look set to be even prominent under de Boer’s stewardship in this campaign.
The Slovenian goalkeeper was immense between the sticks throughout the whole 90 minutes against Pescara and was unfortunate to concede at all with the heroics he displayed, particularly in the second half as the 32-year-old kept out many attempts at his goal with trademark acrobatic stops. Without the former Udinese gloveman, it may have been a different scoreline.
Like Handanovic, Icardi was his usual influential best, providing a couple of defining moments in the match that ensured Inter departed with a victory. The Argentine’s ability to be in the right place at the right time and provide a lethal finish to follow was evident at the Stadio Adriatico, and similar showings will be required for Inter to flourish this season.
Bahebeck can thrive with first-team opportunities at Pescara
Always highly rated in the French capital but never able to displace Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani, the 23-year-old may just be able to fulfill some of his undoubted potential if given chances with the Delfini, such as in this match.
The young striker came off the bench to open his account for Massimo Oddo’s side and provided a spark that allowed the hosts to threaten Handanovic’s goal. It will be difficult for the Frenchman to start ahead of Gianluca Caprari regularly, however, he can grow and develop with the opportunities presented his way.
Inter turn on the style, Pescara make a good account of themselves
Scoreless in their first match against Chievo Verona and profligate against Palermo last time out, on this occasion Inter put in a performance worthy of emerging victorious against Pescara. De Boer’s style of play seems to be making its way into his side, with the Nerazzurri putting in one of their most forward-thinking, fluid displays since before the Roberto Mancini era.
Pescara themselves have further reinforced the public opinion in Serie A that they are no slouches either. A 2-2 draw against Napoli was followed up with a 3-0 away win against an impressive Sassuolo side competing in the Europa league this season. In this match, the Delfini soaked up a lot of the opposition’s pressure well and hit them on the break, it is just a shame for them they were not able to weather a late Internazionale storm.
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