Inter beat SPAL 2 - 0 thanks to goals from Politano and Gagliardini

MILAN - A total of 61,339 fans turned out to celebrate the club’s 111th birthday on Sunday – and they were treated to a vital win in the process. Politano and Gagliardini were both on the scoresheet against SPAL as the Nerazzurri secured an efficient 2-0 triumph. This result leaves Luciano Spalletti’s side on 50 points in fourth place – one point behind Milan ahead of the #DerbyMilano next week…

Inter made a bright start to the afternoon kick-off, with Joao Mario volleying narrowly over after just two minutes. Ten minutes later, Politano played the ball into the path of Gagliardini, although the midfielder had to yet find his range as he shot wildly over. It was all Inter once again just three minutes later as Lautaro acrobatically met a cross from Cedric but couldn’t keep his effort down. SPAL’s first real foray into the opposition half came in the 23rd minute, with Petagna heading just wide. Four minutes later, Cedric replicated his link-up play with Lautaro from before, although the latter’s headed effort failed to threaten Viviano. The San Siro thought they’d taken the lead in the 31st minute after some spectacular play from Lautaro in the box, only for VAR to rule it for handball. Inter kept pushing regardless, and in the 37th minute Politano missed the target with a well-positioned free kick. Just prior to the interval, Spalletti was forced into making his first change of the game as Candreva replaced the injured Brozovic. The half-time whistle soon arrived with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

At the break, Spalletti was forced into making another substitution: Miranda had to be replaced by Ranocchia after the former picked up a fracture in his nasal bones when going in for a challenge against Petagna in the first half.  Inter went in search of the opening goal once the second half began: in the 61st minute, Cedric tried to score directly from a corner, but Viviano was alert to make the save. The Nerazzurri finally went ahead after 67 minutes: Politano controlled a ball into the SPAL penalty area before turning and firing into the back of the net with his left foot. San Siro erupted, and with the wind in their sails Inter almost doubled their lead as Lautaro came inches away from getting on the end of Cedric’s low cross. Spalletti then brought on Borja Valero for Politano just seconds before the Nerazzurri made it 2-0. This goal came from Gagliardini, who brought down Cedric’s effort on goal and beat Viviano with a thunderous right-footed strike. Inter remained in full control in the late stages as they defeated SPAL 2-0 to secure the three points.

Spalletti’s team now have two vital matches in front of them: they will play their second-leg clash against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Round of 16 stage of the Europa League on Thursday, and then it’ll be time for the #DerbyMilano on Sunday.

#ForzaInter forever!

INTER 2-0 SPAL

Goalscorers: 67' Politano (I), 77' Gagliardini (I)

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 21 Cedric, 23 Miranda (46' 13 Ranocchia), 6 De Vrij, 29 Dalbert; 5 Gagliardini, 77 Brozovic (42' 87 Candreva); 16 Politano (74' 20 Borja Valero), 15 Joao Mario, 18 Asamoah; 10 LautaroSubstitutes: 27 Padelli, 11 Keita Balde, 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar, 44 PerisicCoach: Luciano Spalletti

SPAL: 2 Viviano; 14 Bonifazi, 23 Vicari, 27 Felipe (73' 43 Paloschi); 8 Valoti (62' 24 Dickmann), 19 Kurtic, 28 Schiattarella, 6 Missiroli, 93 Fares; 10 Floccari (83' 7 Antenucci), 37 PetagnaSubstitutes: 1 Gomis, 12 Fulignati, 17 Poluzzi, 5 Simic, 13 Regini, 16 Valdifiori, 33 Costa, 95 JankovicCoach: Leonardo Semplici

Bookings: Gagliardini (I), Missiroli (S), Petagna (S), Valoti (S), Joao Mario (I), Felipe (S), Vicari (S), Ranocchia (I)

Added time: 5' + 5'

Referee: CalvareseAssistants: De Meo, AlassioFourth official: PiccininiVAR officials: Di Bello, Vuoto