Inter Milan frustrated in 2-0 win over SPAL

Inter Milan beat SPAL at home 2-0 through goals from Matteo Politano and Roberto Gagliardini. It wasn’t the easiest of games as SPAL shut down Inter for the majority of the game.

Up until the 67th minute, it looked like this one was going to end as a scoreless draw. SPAL frustrated Inter throughout but Matteo Politano broke through in the 67th minute to give the Nerazzurri the lead for good. Lautaro Martinez held the ball at the top of the box, tried slipping a pass in to Antonio Candreva that was deflected. Fortunately for the Nerazzurri, that deflection fell to Politano who took one quick touch and volleyed it into the bottom right hand corner.

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The goal was reviewed by VAR for what seemed like an eternity for Inter fans. The Nerazzurri already had one goal by Lautaro disallowed so the crowd and Inter players were not very happy during the review.

The second goal by Inter came in the 77th minute through Roberto Gagliardini. The ball fell to Cedric Soares at the top of the box whom took a well drive low shot. Gagliardini was able to trap it and quickly fire it into the right side of the net. Emiliano Viviano was leaning the other way from the initial shot and the net was left wide open for Gagliardini.

The first half had a few chances and a disallowed goal for Inter but ultimately ended 0-0.

The first chance of the game fell to Joao Mario in the 2nd minute. A ball was deflected right to him where he volleyed it over the bar from just inside the box.

SPAL created there first chance in the 14th minute and it was a real scare for the Nerazzurri. A corner came in to the box and off a few heads. It ultimately fell to Sergio Floccari who had a wide open goal in front of him. Joao Miranda was quick to react and able to kick it away just in time.

It appeared Inter had broken through in the 31st minute. Lautaro Martinez trapped a cross down with his chest (and arm/hand) then slid the ball from his left to right and burying it into the left side of the net. It was a great goal worked but the Argentine striker used his hand to control it causing the goal to be disallowed.

Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

SPAL was all over Inter defensively and forcing the Nerazzurri to go through the outside in their attack. SPAL earned five yellow cards throughout the game and tried to stop Inter from creating any flow to the attack. It worked for most of the game and it was apparent the Nerazzurri players were frustrated.

Lautaro Martinez had two early chances off of Cedric Soares crosses. Both were near post runs, the first was a volley that he put over off a beautiful cross and the other was a header that the Argentine could not get towards goal.

Lautaro played well throughout but the end product lacked this time. He had another great opportunity with a three on two but did not have the vision to find a wide open Joao Mario. Politano made a great through ball to lead Martinez in. He had the Portuguese midfielder all alone at the top of the 18 but looked him off. Francesco Vicari made a good read, stepped to the ball, and won the challenge.

A frustrating win for Inter but three points are three points. The Nerazzurri return to action Thursday in the 2nd leg of their Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

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