A dominant Inter see off Torino: Lautaro, de Vrij and Lukaku all on the scoresheet in a 3 - 0 victory

TORINO – The conditions were difficult but Inter prevailed. With the rain coming down in Turin, the Nerazzurri produced a great team performance to win and continue their fine league record: 13 matches, elven wins, 34 points. Three points that arrived thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez, Stefan de Vrij and Romelu Lukaku, with the only negative aspect from the evening being the injury picked up by Nicolò Barella in the first half. This was a deserved win that Antonio Conte’s men picked up with an intelligent display. After all, it wasn’t easy to manage the ball on a wet pitch at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, but Inter adapted, found the solutions they needed to find and also produced some fantastic pieces of play. The conditions meant the teams had to be practical and switched on: playing directly, making the most of set plays and watching the ball all the way as it skidded off the turf would all be important.

When the game did kick off, Lautaro Martinez once again stepped up to the plate as he scored yet again: Vecino’s header from Sirigu’s goal kick sent El Toro away, with the Argentine striker doing well to control the ball and beat the Torino goalkeeper after racing 30 metres up field. A typical Lautaro Martinez goal, his ninth of the season and eighth in the first 30 minutes of play. Torino, who were forced to substitute the injured Belotti, were struggling to cut open a solid Inter backline, while Conte’s men continued to cause the Granata problems with balls in behind. In the 28th minute, however, the hosts did threaten, but Ansaldi, Verdi and Nkoulou were unable to beat a faultless Handanovic in the Nerazzurri goal. Inter went up the other end and made the home side pay: following a corner, de Vrij got on the end of Biraghi’s perfect cross as the Nerazzurri made it 2-0. In scoring, the Dutch defender became the eleventh Inter player to find the net this season.

Deservedly two goals up, the Nerazzurri managed the ball well and played sensibly on the break. In the 42nd minute, one counterattack led to a Barella shot but Sirigu was there to make the save. Yet, from that move the midfielder picked up an injury which forced him off and the issue with his knee will be evaluated in the coming days. Borja Valero replaced him. At the end of the half, Handanovic was in great form, keeping out a powerful De Silvestri effort.

The second half began with Torino looking to attack. Izzo headed over as the home side seemed to apply more pressure. The Nerazzurri’s counterattacks continued and resulted in the goal that made it 3-0. Lautaro and Brozovic were able to carry the ball up the pitch and set up Lukaku. The Belgian was composed as he fired the ball across Sirigu into the bottom corner. It was a goal that meant a lot for him as he matched Istvan Nyers’ record of hitting 10 goals in his first 13 matches for the Nerazzurri. It was a big goal in the match which left the Nerazzurri in complete control. Only Verdi from a free kick was able to create real problems for Handanovic but the Inter skipper made another great diving save. The conditions led to tiredness and the tempo dropped in the mud but Lukaku almost made it 4-0 with a great effort. In the end, there was also time for Federico Dimarco to make his debut this season, playing for the Nerazzurri for the first time since appearing twice in the 2014-15 campaign. It finished 0-3 and Inter can now immediately look to the important Champions League on Wednesday away at Slavia Prague in the Champions League. There’s no time to let up even if the three points from tonight taste sweet and mean a lot.

TORINO (3-5-2): 39 Sirigu; 5 Izzo, 33 Nkoulou, 36 Bremer (34 Aina 57'); 29 De Silvestri, 8 Baselli (21 Berenguer 71'), 7 Lukic, 23 Meité, 15 Ansaldi; 24 Verdi, 9 Belotti (11 Zaza 14’). Substitutes: 18 Ujkani, 25 Rosati, 20 Edera, 30 Djidji, 88 Rincon.  Coach: Walter MazzarriINTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 2 Godin, 6 de Vrij, 37 Skriniar; 33 D'Ambrosio (21' Dimarco 83'), 8 Vecino, 77 Brozovic, 23 Barella (20 Borja Valero 48' pt), 34 Biraghi; 10 Lautaro (87 Candreva 69'), 9 Lukaku. Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 13 Ranocchia, 19 Lazaro, 30 Esposito, 32 Agoumé,  40 Fonseca, 95 Bastoni. Coach: Antonio Conte

Goals: 12' Lautaro (I), 32' de Vrij (I), 55' Lukaku (I)Bookings: Lautaro (I), D'Ambrosio (I), Izzo (T), Candreva (I), Aina (T)Stoppage Time: 3' - 2'Referee: Maresca.Assistants: Meli, Bindoni.Fourth official: Fabbri.VAR: Mazzoleni.Assistant VAR: Paganessi.