Chievo 1 - 1 Inter: Nerazzurri held to late draw

VERONA - Inter were held to a frustrating draw on Saturday evening, who despite controlling large parts of the game, were pegged back late on after Pellissier’s goal cancelled out Perisic’s opener. This 1-1 draw on matchday 17 now leaves Luciano Spalletti’s side in third place on 33 points.

The match started in vibrant fashion, with Handanovic called into action after just 30 seconds to keep out Meggiorini. Inter then responded through Perisic, although the Croatian’s third-minute shot flew over. The next 20 minutes were fairly balanced, yet with Inter controlling the majority of possession. The 28th minute saw a great chance for the Nerazzurri, with Icardi denied by a strong save from Sorrentino before Nainggolan then shot over. Six minutes later Politano tried his luck, cutting in from the right-hand side and firing an ambitious effort wide. However, Inter’s patience finally paid dividends in the 39th minute as a well-worked move saw Perisic score from close-range after a perfect cross from D’Ambrosio. After the Croatian’s third goal of the season, the Nerazzurri kept pushing for a second, with Joao Mario missing a late chance at the back post after a good cross from Perisic.

Spalletti’s side started the second half with their foot on the gas. In the 47th minute, a break featuring Perisic and Joao Mario ended with Bani closing down the Croatian just as he was about to shoot. 10 minutes later, Sorrentino made a great stop from Icardi after he linked up with the lively Perisic. Soon after, Chievo suddenly got up the pitch in the 58th minute with Giaccherini sliding it through for Pellissier who forced a brilliant save from Handanovic at the expense of a corner. The hosts started to take heart and Spalletti responded by bringing Vecino and Lautaro Martinez on for Nainggolan and Politano. In the 77th minute, Inter went on the attack again through Perisic once again who shot wide after cutting inside onto his right despite the attentions of Depaoli. At the end, Borja Valero replaced Joao Mario. The referee signalled four minutes of stoppage time and it would prove fatal for the Nerazzurri. A long ball from the back was nodded on by the substitute Stepinski to Pellissier who got in between De Vrij and Skriniar to dink the ball over the oncoming Handanovic. The match ended on a sour note with a 1-1 scoreline.

The Nerazzurri return to action on Boxing Day with kick-off at 20:30 CET when Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli visit San Siro

#ForzaInter!

CHIEVOVERONA 1-1 INTER

Goals: 39' Perisic (I), 90+1’ Pellissier (C)

CHIEVOVERONA: 70 Sorrentino; 27 Depaoli, 14 Bani, 15 Rossettini, 5 Barba; 13 Kiyine (46' 44 Jaroszynski), 4 Rigoni, 56 Hetemaj; 17 Giaccherini (77' 23 Birsa); 69 Meggiorini (62' 9 Stepinski), 31 Pellissier

Substitutes: 1 Semper, 67 Caprile, 3 Tanasijevic, 11 Leris, 12 Cesar, 20 Djordjevic, 21 Burruchaga, 22 Obi, 40 Tomovic

Coach: Domenico Di Carlo

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 2 Vrsaljko, 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 33 D'Ambrosio; 15 Joao Mario (82' 20 Borja Valero), 77 Brozovic, 14 Nainggolan (67' 8 Vecino); 16 Politano (75' 10 Lautaro), 9 Icardi, 44 Perisic

Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 5 Gagliardini, 11 Keita, 13 Ranocchia, 29 Dalbert, 87 Candreva

Coach: Luciano Spalletti

Bookings: Kiyine (C), Hetemaj (C), Joao Mario (I), Brozovic (I), Rigoni (C)

Stoppage time: 0' + 4'

Referee: Pasqua

Assistants: Posago, Galetto

Fourthofficial: Piscopo

VAR operators: Marinelli, Del Giovane