Inter turn it on with 5 - 0 win against Genoa

MILAN – Inter prepared for their match in the Champions League against Barcelona in the best possible way as they defeated Genoa 5-0. It was a dominant performance by the Nerazzurri as they swept aside a Rossoblu team that had been expected to create problems for Inter after their performance on Wednesday against Milan. It didn’t, however, turn out that way.

Spalletti made five changes to the team from the match at the Stadio Olimpico: in came D'Ambrosio, De Vrij, Gagliardini,  Dalbert and Lautaro Martinez. Just 80 seconds in, the latter came inches away from giving the home side the lead, but he could only fire over from close range after Politano’s cross. In the 4th minute, Brozovic played the ball to Joao Mario, who then found Perisic, but the Croatian’s effort went wide by a whisker.

Inter were creating a lot in the early stages as Juric’s Genoa looked to sit back and hit the home side on the counter. Inter’s Politano came close after 13 minutes but could only fire wide. It was clear, however, that a goal was coming. The opener duly arrived just a minute later as Gagliardini was the quickest to react in the box to prod home. Politano doubled the lead after 16 minutes: a superb ball by Joao Mario found the Italian, who then got in front of Gunter and expertly fired home to make it two. Inter were looking very dangerous, although Genoa did go close through Lazovic, the only real threat to the Nerazzurri’s goal. Politano was looking to add to his personal tally as he had another effort that was pushed behind for a corner by Radu. From the resulting corner, De Vrij couldn’t quite make it three with a header. Inter were then applauded off the pitch by the 67,532 spectators in the stadium, the crowd size swelled through the match being a special Inter Club game.

Above all, it was Roberto Gagliardini’s day. He made the most of the Rossoblu defence losing focus from a Perisic ball before turning home to make it 3-0 with his first brace in Serie A. Lautaro Martinez gave everything to get his name on the scoresheet but he’ll have to wait for his second goal in Serie A. At the end, Inter turned it on again. There was time for Joao Mario to find the net in stoppage time. His goal from the edge of the box from a Keita assist was the cherry on the cake after a very positive display from the Portuguese. Galvanised, he then turned provider with a perfect cross for Radja Nainggolan who headed home his first goal at San Siro as an Inter player.

San Siro applauded the side off before the visit of Barcelona on Tuesday.

INTER 5-0 GENOA

Goals: 14' and 49' Gagliardini, 16' Politano, 90 +1' Joao Mario, 90 +3' Nainggolan.

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 6 De Vrij, 37 Skriniar, 29 Dalbert; 5 Gagliardini, 77 Brozovic (87' 14 Nainggolan) ; 16 Politano (58’ 11 Keita), 15 Joao Mario, 44 Perisic (75' 20 Borja Valero) ; 10 Lautaro.

Bench: 27 Padelli, 2 Vrsaljko, 8 Vecino, 9 Icardi, 13 Ranocchia, , 18 Asamoah, 23 Miranda, 87 Candreva.

Coach: Luciano Spalletti

GENOA: 97 Radu; 14 Biraschi, 17 Romero, 3 Gunter; 32 Pereira, 8 Romulo (80' 40 Omeonga), 30 Sandro (58' 44 Veloso), 24 Bessa, 22 Lazovic; 19 Pandev (50' 9 Piatek), 11 Kouamé.

Bench: 25 Vodisek, 23 Russo, 5 Lisandro Lopez, 10 Lapadula, 15 Mazzitelli, 33 Lakicevic, 45 Medeiros, 87 Zukanovic, 88 Hiljemark.

Coach: Ivan Juric

Bookings: 8' D'Ambrosio, 18' Gunter, 31'  L.Martinez 34' Sandro

Referee: Valeri

Assistants: Preti, Cecconi

FourthOfficial: Serra

VAR: Abisso, Giallatin