Torino 1 - 0 Inter: Izzo header settles it

TURIN  - A goal from Armando Izzo in the 35th minute condemned Inter to a 1-0 defeat at Torino. After 21 matches this season, the Nerazzurri remain third with 40 points, eight behind Napoli in second and six points ahead of fifth.

It was a lively game in the early exchanges. In the fourth minute, De Silvestri stung the palms of Handanovic with his header from Ansaldi’s cross. At the other end, there was a big chance for Inter. Dalbert crossed it in low for Lautaro who was arriving in the area but he couldn’t keep the first-time effort on target.

In the 18th minute, D’Ambrosio won his duel with Ola Aina and let fly with his right but Sirigu got down to keep it out. Straight after, there was a good combination between Lautaro and Icardi with the captain hitting it hard from just outside the area but Sirigu turned the ball behind for a corner.

Torino got forward in the 25th minute when Zaza struck it with his left but Miranda did well to make the block. In the 35th minute, the Granata broke the deadlock. Lukic took a corner short for Ansaldi who whipped the ball in, Izzo who leapt highest and his looping header found the corner.

Inter attempted to respond immediately with a Brozovic shot from the edge of the area that went narrowly over the bar. In the 38th minute, Rincon’s effort was deflected out for a corner. Just before the break, Inter were knocking on the door when Joao Mario’s cross was cleared from the six-yard box by Izzo. The sides left the pitch with the hosts a goal up.

There were no changes at the break, as both teams came out unchanged for the second half. The 53rd minute saw Belotti try his luck with a powerful right-footed effort from just outside the area, however, Handanovic saved comfortably. Two minutes later Spalletti made his first substitution, with Nainggolan replacing Miranda. Torino kept pressing, however, with Rincon releasing Zaza who forced a good block from De Vrij to earn his team a corner in the 63rd minute.

Inter’s first real offensive foray of the second half arrived in the 69th minute, with Dalbert racing away on the counter-attack before Vecino found Nainggolan who shot over. Spalletti soon brought on for Politano for Joao Mario, with the substitute just missing the target with a wicked strike in the 73rd minute. Candreva also came on to replace Vecino for the final few minutes, although Politano was sent off soon after.

As the game petered out, De Vrij capitalised on confusion in the opposition area but could only force a comfortable save from Sirigu. The final was whistle was blown after five minutes of injury time with Torino securing a 1-0 win.

#ForzaInter, now and always!

TORINO 1-0 INTER Goalscorer: 35' Izzo (T)

TORINO: 39 Sirigu; 5 Izzo, 33 Nkoulou, 30 Djidji; 29 De Silvestri, 15 Ansaldi (81' 21 Berenguer), 88 Rincon, 7 Lukic (78' 8 Baselli), 34 Aina; 11 Zaza (89' 14 Iago Falque), 9 BelottiSubstitutes: 1 Ichazo, 25 Rosati, 3 Lyanco, 20 Edera, 24 Moretti, 27 Parigini, 36 Bremer, 72 MillicoCoach: Walter Mazzarri

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 23 Miranda (55' 14 Nainggolan); 33 D'Ambrosio, 8 Vecino (83' 87 Candreva), 77 Brozovic, 15 Joao Mario (71' 16 Politano), 29 Dalbert; 10 Lautaro, 9 IcardiSubstitutes: 27 Padelli, 5 Gagliardini, 13 Ranocchia, 18 Asamoah, 20 Borja Valero, 44 Perisic, 74 SalcedoCoach: Luciano Spalletti

Bookings: De Vrij (I), Belotti (T), Dalbert (I), D'Ambrosio (I), Aina (T), Zaza (T)

Red card: 86' Politano ()

Added time: 3' + 5'

Referee: MarescaAssistants: Valeriani, SchenoneFourth official: PiccininiVAR operators: Mazzoleni, Mondin