Match Report: Inter 3-1 Genoa – Things are looking up

In a match that was decidedly fun to watch for Inter fans, the Nerazzurri were able to put in a (fairly) solid 90 minutes and take all three points from visitors Genoa.

Each side had their chance to take an early lead. Inter nearly went ahead in the opening seconds when Fredy Guarin fed Icardi inside the box. Unfortunately, the Argentine international's attempt was saved by Genoa keeper Mattia Perin.

Genoa's early chance came when Lestienne spotted Luca Antonelli in the box on the other side, but he was unable to beat Handanovic.

Inter went ahead five minutes later, when Palacio slotted home a loose ball after an Icardi shot in the 12th minute.

Il Biscione maintained control of the match throughout most of the first half, and Icardi eventually netted a goal in the 39th minute when he nodded an unmarked header past Perin off a Hernanes corner kick.

Inter keeper Handanovic was called into action a few times in the second half, making a couple long-range saves to deny both Antonelli and Iago Falque.

Handanovic also denied a bullet-strike from Genoa's Tino Costa in the 85th minute, but Izzo lent the visiting side hope when he slotted home the resulting rebound, his first goal in Serie A competition.

Genoa's fate was sealed, however, when Nemanja Vidic was able to nod home a close-range brace off a Podolski header in the waning minutes of the match.

INTER 3 - 1 GENOA

Goals: Palacio (12'), Icardi (40'), Izzo (85'), Vidic (88')

INTER: Handanovic; Campagnaro, Vidic, Andreolli, D'Ambrosio; Medel (Krhin 87'), Guarin; Palacio ( Kuzmanovic 65') Hernanes (Obi 74'), Podolski, Icardi

Unused Subs: Carrizo, Berni, Dodò, Mbaye, Puscas, Donkor, M'Vila, Shaqiri

Coach: Roberto Mancini

GENOA: Perin; Izzo, Burdisso, De Maio; Edenilson, Rincon (Fetfatzidis 80'), Bertolacci (Tino Costa 83'), Antonelli; Iago, Matri (Kucka 52'), Lestienne

Unused Subs: Lamanna, Prisco, Antonini, Mandragora, Sturaro, Rosi

Coach: Gianpiero Gasperini