A fightback, three points and second place

MILAN -  Eliminating individual errors, which have plagued Inter in recent weeks. Doing so as a united front, doing so together, walking the same path. The coach has been adamant about these things; playing well with a good brand of football, following the style of playing that they should be showing. Inter were back to winning ways against Torino with a 3-1 winning after being a goal down. Belotti’s goal from Handanovic’s mistake was cancelled out in the second half. After the break, the Nerazzurri did away with il Toro, and they did so with personality and quality and thanks to goals from Young, Godin (his first for the club) and Lautaro. A trio of goals, which, by the 68th minute, took Inter up to second in the league, level on points with Lazio.

Inter got off to a promising start. Aggression, high pressing, Torino pegged back in their own half. The Nerazzurri harried il Toro and won the ball back well, which put them on the front foot from the off. Godin made plenty of forward runs from the centre-back position and Borja Valero’s mobility had Torino’s defence in knots more than once. There was some promising football, but no clear-cut chances to go ahead; attempts from Lautaro and Brozovic were both off-target. Then, the hammer blow, another Inter mistake. This time it was Handanovic, just like in 2018, at home, against Torino. Inter’s number one couldn’t hold a corner and the ball fell to Belotti, who tapped it home to put the away side a goal to the good.

THE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME

Unexpected and surprising, Torino’s opener sparked a response as Inter immediately looked to strike back. Sanchez and Lautaro were a potent force; the duo created ten of Inter’s twelve chances in the game. But for all the Nerazzurri’s effort, there was no reward; Sirigu was only seriously tested once, in the 32nd minute. Torino even came close to doubling their lead through Ansaldi as the first half wound to a close.

Just as doubt could’ve become crippling, Inter reemerged after break a different side. They dominated the second 45, showing that the positive signs from the start of the match were not just a flash in the pan. By chance, la Granata only scored once, to Inter’s eventual delight. The Nerazzurri were ferocious and organized, and turned the game around in a matter of minutes. In the 48th minute: a big switch from Brozovic to find Lautaro, who laid it off to Young to volley home. It was the Englishman’s third goal of the season, all of which have been volleys.

The goal absolutely catalysed Inter’s fightback. Just three minutes later, the Nerazzurri were ahead. Godin became the Club’s 19th different goalscorer this season. It was a really well-worked goal too, Young’s pass, Sanchez’s lay-off and the Uruguayan’s towering header. Torino found it difficult to react, due in no small part to Alexis’ hustle. Inter had killed the game off in the 61st minute. The Chilean did incredibly well to find Lautaro, whose shot was deflected and looped over Sirigu.

Torino tried to salvage something late on through Belotti, who hit the bar with a header, but it was the last cry of a striker, who largely lacked support throughout the game. Inter saw out the remainder of the game comfortably, creating a couple more chances (through Galgiardini and Eriksen). A vital 3-1 win, three points and up to second. But now is not the time to rest on any laurels. On Thursday, the Nerazzurri take on SPAL. Forza Inter!

SERIE A TABLE

INTER 3-1 TORINO

INTER (3-4-1-2): 1 Handanovic; 2 Godin (37 Skriniar 76'), 6 de Vrij, 95 Bastoni; 33 D'Ambrosio (87 Candreva 71'), 77 Brozovic, 5 Gagliardini, 15 Young (34 Biraghi 71'); 20 Borja Valero; 7 Sanchez, 10 Lautaro (24 Eriksen 84').Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 13 Ranocchia, 18 Asamoah, 30 Esposito, 31 Pirola, 32 Agoumé. Coach: Antonio Conte.

TORINO (3-4-2-1): 39 Sirigu; 5 Izzo, 33 N'Koulou, 36 Bremer; 29 De Silvestri (17 Singo 64'), 23 Meité (7 Lukic 64'), 88 Rincon 34 Aina; 24 Verdi (22 Millico 76'),15 Ansaldi (21 Berenguer 64'); 9 Belotti.Substitutes: 18 Ujkani, 25 Rosati, 4 Lyanco, 19 Greco, 20 Edera, 27 Ghazoini, 30 Djidji, 80 Adopo.Coach: Moreno Longo.

Scorers: 18' Belotti (T), 48' Young (I), 51' Godin (I), 61' Lautaro (I)Bookings: Godin (I), Aina (T), Meité (T), De Silvestri (T), Brozovic (I), Sanchez (I), D'Ambrosio (I), Biraghi (I)Stoppage time: -, 3'.

Referee: Massa.Assistant Referees: Di Iorio, Bottegoni.Fourth Official: Minelli.VAR and VAR Assistant: Nasca, Alassio.