Inter 0 - 1 Bologna: Wasted chances cost Nerazzurri at San Siro

MILAN - Inter lost 1-0 at home in front of 50,000 spectators on Sunday, with Bologna coming out narrowly on top after a number of wasted Nerazzurri chances. Santander’s 33rd-minute strike proved decisive at San Siro, leading to a loss that leaves Inter still on 40 points in the league standings, who occupy third place after matchday 22.

However, it could’ve all been so different had Icardi put away Inter’s first chance of the match after just 50 seconds. The opportunity was a gift after Poli’s back pass fell into the striker’s path, who was unable to keep his shot on target. Unshaken, Bologna then looked to respond in the eighth minute, as Orsolini forced a strong save from Handanovic. The Bolognese winger then had another chance not long after, although this was comfortably saved.

Santander’s first chance on goal arrived in the 13th minute, while Candreva then shot over from long-range four minutes later. Perisic had a good opportunity come the 20th minute as he rose to meet a Candreva cross, although he couldn’t direct his header on target. A similar opportunity was then created three minutes later, this time Perisic feeding Icardi who headed wide.

With the game still goalless and the visitors emboldened, Santander shot just wide in the 28th minute before he then broke the deadlock five minutes later. The goal came after Pulgar swung in a corner that the striker headed home from the near post.

Inter’s reaction was immediate, with Perisic linking up well with Dalbert who cut it back for Vecino who shot over. The away side threatened once again in the 39th minute with a free-kick from a dangerous position before Skorupski then plucked the ball from Icardi’s feet soon after. The half-time whistle was soon blown with the Nerazzurri down 1-0.

After the break, Spalletti brought Lautaro Martinez on for Candreva. In the 51st minute, it was Nainggolan who tried his luck with a powerful volley from the edge of the area but Skorupski was somehow able to keep it out. After an hour, Cedric played in a cross from the right but Lautaro wasn’t able to get on the end of it. There was another big chance for Inter in the 66th minute when the ball fell for Lautaro Martinez in a great position but he couldn’t keep the header on target. The Nerazzurri continued to attack and Spalletti brought Joao Mario on for Nainggolan. In the 71st minute, a left-footed curler from Icardi took a glancing blow off Danilo, redirecting it the wrong side of the post by a matter of centimetres. For the final assault, Spalletti threw Ranocchia on for Cedric as a target man. Three minutes from the end, Ranocchia went close with a great volley from Dalbert’s cross but Skorupski tipped it wide. The final opportunity was in the 95th minute when Icardi knocked a long ball down for Lautaro Martinez who fired wide.

The Nerazzurri’s next fixture will be on Saturday 9th February at 20:30 CET against Parma as we look to get back on track.

INTER 0-1 BOLOGNA

Goals: 33' Santander (B)

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 21 Cedric (78' 13 Ranocchia), 6 De Vrij, 37 Skriniar, 29 Dalbert; 8 Vecino 77 Brozovic; , 87 Candreva (46' 10 Lautaro), 14 Nainggolan (68' 15 Joao Mario), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi

Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 5 Gagliardini, 18 Asamoah, 23 Miranda, 33 D'Ambrosio, 74 Salcedo

Coach: Luciano Spalletti

BOLOGNA: 28 Skorupski; 15 Mbaye, 23 Danilo, 4 Lyanco (49' 3 Gonzalez), 35 Dijks; 16 Poli, 5 Pulgar, 21 Soriano; 7 Orsolini, 9 Santander (87' 22 Destro), 24 Palacio (74' 11 Krejci)

Substitutes: 1 Da Costa, 6 Paz, 8 Nagy, 17 Donsah, 20 Edera, 31 Dzemaili, 32 Svanberg, 33 Calabresi, 91 Falcinelli

Coach: Sinisa Mihajlovic

Bookings: Mbaye (B), Vecino (I), Danilo (B)

Stoppage time: 1' + 5'

Referee: Pasqua

Assistants: Bindoni, Mondin

Fourth official: Giua

VAR: Massa, Meli