Inter Milan squander points in loss at Torino

It was former Inter men that proved to be the bane of Luciano Spalletti’s existence Sunday as Inter Milan failed to gain ground in the race for a Champions League bid in a 1-0 loss at Torino.

It was the first time since February 1994 that Torino defeated the Nerazzurri at the Stadio Olimpico.

At least Inter fans showed up in force to watch the loss.

For Inter, it was a difficult defeat, especially following Fiorentina’s defeat of Roma on Saturday. A win at Torino could have seen Inter climb into third position, but the loss keeps them in fourth, awaiting Lazio’s performance Sunday afternoon.

Adem Ljajic – a former Inter player – was the one who set part Torino from the Nerazzurri with his goal in the 36^th minute. Torino got solid play from Cristian Ansaldi, who pressed Torino’s counter-attack all morning long.

While Inter dominated possession throughout the game, Salvatore Siragu managed to keep the Nerazzurri at bay with stop after stop.

In the first half, Inter controlled possession and shots on target, but it was Ljajic that came through with the counter-attack goal just before halftime.

Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

As Ivan Perisic attempted to get in front of Andrea Belotti on a counter-attack. But Perisic’s move freed up Lorenzo De Silvestri on the right. De Silvestri pushed a pass across the face of goal where Ljajic found an open net at the back post in the 36^th minute.

It was the first and only shot on target for Torino.

Inter had their chances at goal, nearly 10 of them to be exact.

Mauro Icardi nearly equalized on a Joao Cancelo cross, but his attempt went inside his foot and he failed to connect.

Iago Falque almost doubled the lead late in the first half, but just as his attempt found the back of the net, he was whistled offsides.

Inter had shot after shot on goal in the first half, but Siragu stopped Perisic, Icardi and Antonio Candreva repeatedly.

It was much of the same in the second half as Inter continued to pepper Siragu, but the netminder was able to repel each attack.

Inter had 15 shots to Torino’s 10, but Inter had eight of those shots on target while Torino managed just three. The stunning statistic is the fact that the Nerazzurri had possession of the ball nearly 62 percent of the match and could not find the back of the net. Additionally, Inter had 16 corners – 16!! – and managed nothing from them.

The Nerazzurri remain on the road and will travel to Atalanta for a 2:45 p.m. (ET) kick-off on Saturday, April 14.

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