After Milan dropped points yesterday, Inter had the chance to widen the gap from second place to 6 points with a win against a struggling Parma.
D’Aversa was praised by Conte in the pre-match conference and he seemed to have figured out a way to stop Inter from attacking spaces.
It was not until the second half where Sanchez pounced on a defensive error/backpass that Inter gained some composure.
Some 12 minutes later an off color Lukaku ran with the ball and set up Alexis for another goal and it looked like the rest of the game would pass by without any major hiccups.
Hernani had other plans as he volleyed in a shot under Handanovic to make the ending a bit nervy for the Interisti watching at home. Parma threw on every attacker they have but their pressure didn’t pay off.
Samir Handanovic – 6: Made a crucial reaction save on that Kurtic header and gave the sense of security. Was the busier of the keepers. Could have done more on the goal.
Milan Skriniar – 6: Not the usual unbeatable Skriniar as he made a few minor errors with the ball but Karamoh did not get much change out of him. He is human after all.
Stefan De Vrij – 6.5: It is a cliché, but when you do not notice a defender’s defensive work it means he is doing a great job. Always seems to know where the ball will arrive.
Alessandro Bastoni – 7: Did not enjoy the first half defensively but managed to make his presence felt. That pass to Perisic was top class. Played better as the game went on.
Achraf Hakimi – 6: Everyone knows he is fast but not many can deal with him. Took a knock in the first half and could have easily got a deserved assist or two. Decent.
Nicolo Barella – 6: Looked less than 100% after taking a kick to his shin. Parma’s forwards played much deeper and did not let Barella have his usual impact with the ball.
Marcelo Brozovic – 6.5: Probably the best of Inter’s midfielders in the first half, apart from that airshot. Always balanced when it comes to being combative and creative.
Christian Eriksen – 6: Eriksen started the game well and intercepted a few Parma passes. Should have scored that chance Hakimi created. Did not lose his composure.
Ivan Perisic – 5.5: Ivan did not have the best of games. Struggled to keep the flank quiet or make a positive impact in attack. The ball and his touch seemed to elude him.
Romelu Lukaku – 6.5: Lukaku also had a Perisic type of game. Did not look sure of what he wanted to do with the ball in the first half. Still made two top class assists to Alexis.
Alexis Sanchez – 7.5; Alexis played in a much deeper role than what Lautaro plays and it took some time for Lukaku to tune in to that. When they clicked, he scored two.
Arturo Vidal – 5.5: Conte would have wanted to see more control of the midfield than Arturo provided. Hopefully, these minutes help him get to 100% fitness. Needed.
Lautaro Martinez – 6: Fantastic impact off the bench. His chemistry with Lukaku was visible to anyone who has watched football for any amount of time. Great pressing.
Matteo Darmian – N/A: Ivan was having a poor game and looked tired by the end. Thrown on to shut down the flank. Good option to bring on when protecting the lead.
Antonio Conte – 5: D’Aversa’s plan to neutralize Conte worked well but the moment Parma made a mistake, Inter capitalized. Should have used all his subs earlier.
Fabrizio Pasqua – 6.5: Used the VAR well in the first half. Kept a lid on things and maybe let a couple of yellow cards go but did not make any major decisions. Cannot complain.
Inter – 6.5: The boys looked a bit hurried at the start and it took until half time for them to really figure Parma’s chinks. Kept their composure in a nervy finish.
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