Inter 1 - 0 Real Betis, Icardi penalty makes the difference

LECCE – The match began in the pouring rain. The first real chance fell for the Spanish side after 17 minutes as Sergio Leon fired at goal from near the penalty spot but he couldn’t find the target. Four minutes later, Perisic forced a save from Adan with an acrobatic effort and again from the following corner with a header. The match’s decisive moment came in the 30th minute. After winning the ball from a Real Betis defensive mistake, Icardi was brought down by the goalkeeper Adan. A penalty was awarded with the captain himself stepping up to perfectly finish and fire the Nerazzurri in front. 

At the break, Spalletti brought on Gagliardini and Eder for Joao Mario and Icardi. Eder worried Adan after 57 minutes with a free kick from around 25 metres and the ball went just wide after taking a slight deflection. Sergio Leon went close to leveling for Real Betis after 65 minutes but he fired over from a dangerous position. The final chance fell for Eder in stoppage time as he was tackled by Mandi just before he could fire at goal. 

Focus now turns to the league. On Sunday, it begins at San Siro with Inter vs. Fiorentina. 

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar, 25 Miranda, 29 Dalbert (72' 15 Ansaldi); 6 Vecino, 20 Borja Valero (62' 77 Brozovic); 87 Candreva (72' 96 Barbosa), 10 Joao Mario (46' 5 Gagliardini), 44 Perisic (72' 8 Jovetic); 9 Icardi (46' 23 Eder)Bench: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 13 Ranocchia, 63 RivasHead Coach: Luciano Spalletti

REAL BETIS: 13 Adan, 4 Feddal, 6 Fabian (76' 8 Camarasa), 7 Sergio Leon (72' 9 Sanabria), 10 Guardado (72' 14 Durmisi), 11 Nahuel (79' 36 Francis), 17 Joaquin (79' 35 Julio), 19 Barragan, 21 Tosca (72' 34 Cesar), 23 Mandi, 29 NarvaezBench: 1 Dani Gimenez, 2 Rafa, 5 Amat, 20 Pezzella, 22 Darko, 28 Redru, 33 Loren

Coach: Quique Setien

Stoppage Time: 0' + 3'Referee: Marco Di BelloAssistants: Emanuele Prenna - Marco Zappatore