Inter Milan extend their lead to six points at the top of the table with a 2-1 win over Parma at the Ennio Tardini Stadium.
It was a relatively slow start to the game as both teams struggled to create a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the opening 30 minutes. Parma looked the stronger side in the early exchanges as Inter Milan found it difficult to get the better of the home side.
The first opportunity of the game fell to the visitors, with Christian Eriksen’s free-kick finding Milan Skriniar, but the defender’s shot was hit straight at Luigi Sepe. Romelu Lukaku almost opened the scoring in the 38th minute, but his right-footed shot was easily saved by the keeper. The Belgian was at the centre of another attacking move, as Ivan Perisic’s cross was headed wide by the big forward. Both teams were goalless at the break.
Inter looked the brighter team after the restart as Parma sat deeper in their own half, absorbing all the pressure by the Nerazzurri. It took Inter eight minutes to score the opening goal in the second half, as Lukaku’s pass was slotted in by Alexis Sanchez. Perisic almost doubled the lead in the next minute but his shot was well over the bar.
A swift counter-attack led by Lukaku found Sanchez and the Chilean placed his shot into the bottom right corner to double Inter’s lead in the 62nd minute. Parma pulled a goal back in the 70th minute with Hernani, who volleyed his shot past Samir Handanovic. The home team could not find another goal-scoring opportunity for their equalizer.
Six points clear at the top ?#ParmaInter #FORZAINTER ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/JZJgfeuuCv
— Inter (@Inter_en) March 4, 2021
Inter won their sixth game in a row and Parma continue to languish towards the bottom of the table. Let us take a look at how Antonio Conte’s men fared on the night.
Samir Handanovic: 6/10
Had no action in the opening half as Parma failed to threaten his goal. Faultless for the goal conceded.
Milan Skriniar: 6/10
Had the opportunity to open the scoring in the 32nd minute but hit his shot straight at the keeper. Could have closed Pezzella down sooner for Parma’s goal.
Stefan De Vrij: 6.5/10
Made some crucial tackles to stop Parma attackers from getting into dangerous positions in the first half. Was mostly untroubled in the second half as well, could not be blamed for the goal conceded though.
Alessandro Bastoni: 6/10
Handled Karamoah’s pace and trickery well. Took a needless yellow in the first half. Left Hernani unmarked for Parma’s goal. Not his best performance tonight.
Achraf Hakimi: 6.5/10
Conte congratulating Hakimi for his work rate ?
Passion level ? pic.twitter.com/zqflFIMPVg
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 5, 2021
Looked threatening in possession, as he made some wonderful runs into Parma’s box time after time but could have done better with the final ball.
Nicolo Barella: 6/10
Rarely misplaced a pass in the first half, constantly found Lukaku’s runs. Showcased his passing range in the second half as he was involved in the passage of play for the second goal. Looked tired in the latter stages of the game.
Marcelo Brozovic: 7/10
Played in a much deeper role in the first half, almost acting as a centre-back at times. Read the game well to break Parma attacks, distributed the ball well to his wide players.
Christian Eriksen: 7 /10
Wonderful delivery from set-pieces, almost created the opening goal in the 32nd minute. Threaded some fine through balls to his attackers in the second half. Subbed in the 66th minute for Vidal.
Ivan Perisic: 6/10
Had an uncharacteristically quiet first half, however, his cross in the 45th minute almost led to the opener but Lukaku headed it wide. Almost doubled Inter’s lead in the 55th minute but hit his shot way above the goal. Subbed for Darmian in the 84th minute.
Alexis Sanchez: 8.5/10
Alexis Sanchez has three goals in his last two games for Inter ?
The Nerazzurri will go 6 points up at the ? of Serie A with a win over Parma ? pic.twitter.com/mHxGyvFaaQ
— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) March 4, 2021
Looked sharp in the opening 45 minutes but couldn’t create any clear chances for the team. Scored the opening goal in the 53rd minute from Lukaku’s pass. Doubled his tally for the evening in a quick counter-attacking move launched by Lukaku. Replaced by Lautaro Martinez in the 75th minute.
Romelu Lukaku: 8/10
Didn’t get much joy against Valenti and could not hold the ball as well as he usually does. Had a couple of chances in the first half but could not find his finish. Created the opening goal with a well-weighted pass for Sanchez, eight minutes after the restart. Started the counter-attack for the second goal as well. Two assists on the night, another top-class display by the Belgian.
8 – Romelu Lukaku has delivered eight Serie A assists this season: it is a record for him in a single campaign in the Top-5 European leagues. Evolution.#ParmaInter pic.twitter.com/7waxuZ61VJ
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 4, 2021
Substitutes
Arturo Vidal: 5/10
Replaced Eriksen in the 66th minute. Did not offer anything to the team either offensively or defensively.
Lautaro Martinez: 5/10
Came on for Sanchez in the 75th minute, but barely got any chances as Parma upped the ante in attack.
Matteo Darmian: N/A
Brought on for Perisic in the 84th minute. Barely did anything.
