A spectacular first-half header from Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez propelled Inter Milan to a 1-0 victory over native rivals AC Milan at a raucous San Siro on Sunday, condemning Stefano Pioli’s facet to a 3rd consecutive defeat in Serie A.
Inter, who additionally beat Milan within the remaining of the Italian Supercup final month, stays second within the standings with 43 factors, 13 behind runaway leaders Napoli.
Milan, who’ve now misplaced 4 video games in a row in all competitions, dropped to sixth, on 38 factors.
“It was certainly a game for which I congratulated my team,” Inter coach Simone Inzaghi instructed DAZN. “They had been concentrated, decided, cautious; we’ve dominated.
“Winning two derbies in 20 days makes me very satisfied. We look forward with confidence.”
The unmarked Lautaro produced Inter’s first critical risk within the sixth minute, however Milan keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu saved his header from going contained in the left-hand submit.
The Argentine striker gave Inter the lead within the thirty fourth minute when he nodded in a nook from shut vary for his Twelfth aim this season.
Inter dominated the primary half with 76% of possession and prevented Milan from any aim try, however they misplaced a few of their depth after halftime.
Milan responded with their first shot simply earlier than the hour mark, however a mid-range header by striker Olivier Giroud went over the crossbar.
They adopted up with shut possibilities by substitute Brahim Diaz, whose shot was stopped by Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana, and one other alternative by Giroud, whose free kick went vast.
Inter then had the ball inside the web twice, however striker Romelu Lukaku was denied a aim for a foul, whereas Lautaro’s strike was dominated out for offside.
Lukaku had another probability to double Inter’s benefit in stoppage time when he fired a shot from the sting of the field, however Tatarusanu made an excellent save to maintain it out.
“The negative games have robbed us of confidence,” Pioli stated. “We will not be so mature with some absentees and different gamers who will not be at their greatest.
“We have to start over as of tonight. It’s a defeat that hurts, but we have rediscovered the solidity that can allow us to return to our level.”
In the subsequent spherical of video games, Milan hosts Torino on Friday, whereas Inter travels to Sampdoria on Feb. 13.
Earlier on Sunday, Torino beat Udinese 1-0 to overhaul them within the standings and transfer to seventh on 30 factors. Bologna, in ninth, beat Twelfth-placed Fiorentina 2-1.
Fourth-placed Lazio, on 38 factors, travels to Verona on Monday, whereas Juventus go to Salernitana on Tuesday.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
