Inter Milan player ratings as Romelu Lukaku, Marcelo Brozovic and Matias Vecino found the back of the net in a 3-1 victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
It was AS Roma who started brighter of the two teams at San Siro, with Pedro and Lorenzo Pellegrini failing to take their chances early on. And against the run of play, Inter Milan broke the deadlock in the 11th minute through Marcelo Brozovic’s calm finish after being found by Matteo Darmian. Matias Vecino then made it 2-0 in favour the new champions, after some brilliant hold-up play from Romelu Lukaku.
Roma, though, fought back hard and were able to halve the deficit through Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the 31st minute, with the former Manchester United ace coming close to scoring again near half-time. Post the restart, the Giallorossi continued to push for an equaliser as Edin Dzeko hit the crossbar while Bryan Cristante fired a header narrowly wide.
Achraf Hakimi and Andrea Pinamonti had chances at the other end for Inter Milan but failed to take them but Lukaku was able to make the most of an opportunity that came his way in the 90th minute, tapping in after being set up by Hakimi to kill the game off and seal another win for Antonio Conte & co. Here are our player ratings for the Inter Milan stars after a hard-fought win against Roma.
Ionut Radu: 6/10
Given the nod ahead of captain Samir Handanovic, the goalkeeper had a bit of a busy night but managed to impress a fair deal making some decent saves over the course of the game. However, he could have done better for Mkhitaryan’s goal.
Danilo D’Ambrosio: 6.5/10
Consecutive starts for the defender and he had another fairly solid evening at the back for Inter. Effected an interception and three clearances while misplacing just one of his 76 attempted passes. Could have shown a bit more positive intent with his distribution, though.
Andrea Ranocchia: 7/10
Captaining the team in Handanovic’s absence, the veteran defender put in a solid display at the heart of the Inter Milan defence. Strong in the air, Ranocchia won a joint game-high five aerial duels, while also making a joint match-high five clearances – one of which came late in the game to deny Stephan El Shaarawy a certain goal. Also made three tackles, while making a key pass.
Milan Skriniar: 6.5/10
Coming back into the lineup at the expense of Alessandro Bastoni, Skriniar slotted in as the left-sided centre-back on Wednesday and produced a few strong challenges while generally dealing with whatever came his way effectively. There were occasions when he wasn’t able to keep up with the movement of the Roma attackers, though, but he was steady overall.
Matteo Darmian: 6.5/10
⚽️ vs. Cagliari
⚽️ vs. Verona
?️ vs. RomaMatteo Darmian has now been directly involved in three goals in his last three home games for Inter. pic.twitter.com/SGhWZgPZ5P
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 12, 2021
Solid if not spectacular from the Italian international. Does not offer the same level of attacking outlet as Hakimi but did well to set Brozovic up for the opening goal and kept things in check on his flank defensively.
Matias Vecino: 7/10
Another start for the Uruguayan, who looked dangerour every time he popped up somewhere around the AS Roma box, with one such occasion leading to Inter Milan’s second goal of the night. Could have had another. His quality on the ball was a bit of a downer though but still good to see him back to somewhere near full fitness and impacting games.
Marcelo Brozovic: 7/10
Got the ball rolling for Inter Milan on the night with a well-taken goal to break the deadlock early in the game. Was not at his best in breaking up play in midfield, which did allow Roma a chance to get back into the game but did enough to help his team over the line. Created one chance and misplaced just four of his 72 attempted passes.
BROZOVIC goal
Sorry for the late GIF pic.twitter.com/pCfqqOwK5M
— InterGIFs (@InterGIFs1908) May 12, 2021
Nicolo Barella: 6/10
A game of two halves for Barella, who endured a quiet first period, doing little of note, but was full of his usual energy and vibrancy after the break, as he looked to drive his team forward while putting in the hard yards defensively. Completed two dribbles and two tackles.
Ivan Perisic: 6/10
A rather quiet game for the Croat, who was preferred over Ashley Young at left wing-back. Did not venture forward a great deal like he usually does but was steady and assured defensively, keeping the threat down to a minimum on his flank.
Romelu Lukaku: 8/10
Back in the side after being benched for the Sampdoria clash, the former Manchester United superstar led the line extremely well, holding the ball up nicely, making sharp runs in behind that caused problems to the Roma defence. Got the assist for Vecino’s goal in the first period before he proceeded to kill off the game with a deserved goal late on. Made two key passes as well as five clearances.
Lukaku is a beast, this guy weighs 93kg. And is still this fast? WTH.pic.twitter.com/rItnXI9r2P
— Fuegoleon (@Waffirian_) May 13, 2021
Alexis Sanchez: 6/10
Getting another start following his heroics against Sampdoria, the Chilean attacker looked lively in the opening exchanges and executed some neat link-up play, with a backheel to set Vecino up for a chance being the standout moment. Had to be taken off with an injury just 35 minutes into the game, though.
SUBSTITUTES
Lautaro Martinez: 5/10
Replaced the injured Sanchez in the first half, the Player to Watch in our match preview had a forgettable outing as he did little of note in attack. Always seemed to make the wrong choices in key moments leading to frustrations on the touchline for Conte. Made just eight passes, did not create any chance or have a shot on target and was taken off in the 77th minute.
Stefano Sensi: 6/10
On for Vecino in the 59th minute. Helped Inter Milan withstand the pressure exerted by Roma after the break.
Achraf Hakimi: 6.5/10
Toma nota ? Somos los campeones ?
Take note ? We are the champions ? pic.twitter.com/arnqvoKCTf
— achrafhakimi (@AchrafHakimi) May 12, 2021
Came on in place of Darmian at the hour mark. Had a shot saved before he set Lukaku up for the winning goal.
Ashley Young: N/A
Sent on for Perisic with less than 15 minutes left.
Andrea Pinamonti: N/A
On for Martinez in the 77th minute, should have done better with a late chance.
