Inter followed up a fantastic performance against Napoli midweek with a horrendous performance in a 2-2 draw away against Monza at the Brianteo Stadium.
The Nerazzurri started the match as poorly as they played it through out but still managed to score in the 10th minute when an Alessandro Bastoni cross found Matteo Darmian who finished well.
That lead was short-lived as a minute later five Inter players stood ball-watching as Matteo Pessina threaded a good ball to Patrick Ciurria who equalized.
Some 11 minutes later Lautaro Martinez gave Inter the lead after some horrendous defending by Pablo Mari as the Nerazzurri went into half-time with a 2-1 lead.
In the second half, Inter continued the lackluster, disjointed, abysmal performance but still managed to hit the woodwork once and get a goal incorrectly disallowed.
However, in added-time ex-Nerazzurri youth team player Luca Caldirola headed a Patrick Ciurria’s cross off of Denzel Dumfries to make it 2-2, and Inter’s Serie A title dreams are all but as dead as the dodo.
André Onana – 6,5: The best Inter player on the night making a couple of high saves. Can’t be faulted for any of the goals as one was a brilliant finish and he other a deflection that was impossible to get to.
Milan Skriniar – 6: Not as brilliant and commanding as he can be but still good enough defensively. Not as active going forward where his passing let him down a few times.
Francesco Acerbi – 5,5: His first half was poor where he looked nervous and out of sorts. Better in the second half but far from good. Looked tired as well and should’ve started the game on the bench.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6,5: Together with Onana the only Inter player who played at a somewhat recognizable level to his potential. Good cross for the opening goal, good runs forward and important defensive contributions.
Matteo Darmian – 6: Scored a good goal to break the deadlock, but didn’t offer much else going forward as expected as it’s not his strength but worked hard and well in defence, as he always does.
Nicolo Barella – 6: Nowhere near as good as he was against Napoli or generally speaking this season when at or close to his best but his lowest level is fairly high now, the hallmark of a quality player.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 6: Didn’t have a good day at the office as long as he was on the pitch but must be said that just like Barella, his lowest level now is at a high level which shows how much he’s improved the last 18 months.
Hemrikh Mkhitaryan – 5: Worst performance since joining Inter. Lost ball many times in important areas on the pitch, putting himself in difficult situations when simpler option would’ve been easier. One of which led to 2-2 goal.
Federico Dimarco – 6: Put in a shift defensively, working hard but just like his teammates went to sleep a few times, one of which led to 1-1 goal. In attack he had one great chance which he squandered with his weaker right foot.
Edin Dzeko – 5: Shouldn’t have started this match as he looked jaded from the first minute. Was so obviously clear he hadn’t recovered physically from the midweek win against Napoli. Too important to be burned out like last year.
Lautaro Martinez – 6: Scored a goal after being handed a gift by Pablo Mari just in time for Eastern Orthodox Christmas. Unlucky not to score a second when his finish hit the post. Working himself back into form.
Romelu Lukaku – 4,5: If not the worst then one of the worst performances by a striker in an Inter shirt in last 15 years. Movement like an ex-pro who retired a decade ago and was playing in an exhibition game to raise money for charity. Replaced Edin Dzeko in the 55th minute.
Kristjan Asllani – 5,5: Brought on for Hakan Calhanoglu in the 55th minute who asked to be brought off after experiencing muscle pain. Showed glimpses of his talent but also why he is far from ready today to start for Inter.
Roberto Gagliardini – 5,5: His entire Inter career has been one long disappointment for everyone involved since day he joined. Slow, late, clumsy and technically so limited it’s genuinely astonishing he’s had the career he’s had. Substituted on for the injured Nicolo Barella who asked to come off in the 63rd minute.
Denzel Dumfries – N/A: Whether or not it was bad luck that ball deflected off him into the back of the net is really moot point as he was way too late to jump to try to head that ball getting bullied by Caldirola. Came on in 8th minute for an exhausted Darmian and didn’t play long enough to be rated.
Robin Gosens – N/A: Inter’s two latest big money signings, in the financial crisis the club finds itself in, are both bench players. Correa is one, the German the other. That’s an indictment on both the management and directors as well as both players for their sub-par performances. Substituted on in the 81st minute for Dimarco and didn’t play long enough to be rated.
Simone Inzaghi – 6: Was a mistake to field the same lineup as against Napoli albeit an understandable decision. However, reacted well and made proactive substitutions but was let down by 90% of his players today.
Juan Luca Sacchi – 4: No, it’s not the referee’s fault Inter didn’t win the match or that Inter were unwatchable but what is his fault entirely is the atrociously poor decision making which led to Acerbi’s header being disallowed for no good reason whatsoever. And there were examples like it albeit not as bad throughout the game. Dreadful.
Inter – 5: The worst performance of the Simone Inzaghi era which says a lot as the stinkers are really beginning to accumulate. Woefully inept in every aspect and if Monza weren’t so poor the Nerazzurri would’ve lost. One of the worst Serie A matches played in terms of quality during the last decade. Forget about the Scudetto, focus on securing top 4.
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