It’s very difficult to be unhappy with a second straight clean sheet, three more points and other fantastic goalkeeping performance from Samir Handanovic but there was a price to pay. After Walter Samuel and Rolando both received yellow cards from referee Rocchi, the Nerazzurri will now face Napoli next week without two of their three starting centre backs from today’s game. There is however much more to smile about than frown upon after this victory. A win at the Tardini for starters, whatever the statistics say or prove the most important fact is another win for Walter Mazzarri’s side. Away from home Inter seem to have found a formula for success. That’s their fourth victory in seven away league games (losing just the once). They have become dogged and determined and finally lady luck seems to be looking a little more kindly on the players wearing black and blue. Just like last week this game could have turned out very differently. After denying Antonio Cassano with a fine reflex save it was again Samir Handanovic who saved Inter with a penalty stop from the same player minutes later. The game took a huge swing in the Nerazzurri’s favour in the first minute of the second half. Paletta was dismissed and from the resulting free kick Rolando headed home Hernanes’ superb cross.
Are you having a serious case of Deja vu? So were Mazzarri’s men. One goal to the good and with the extra man Inter proceeded to lose control of the game. In almost identical circumstances to last week in Genoa they relied upon their goalkeeper, last ditch defending and the woodwork to survive. On the break Inter threatened but too often the final ball lacked the quality that is needed to score goals at this level. Nagatomo wasted a host of opportunities to deliver the killer blow but he was not alone as Icardi, Palacio and Hernanes could have done better in possession. Zanetti came on to try and calm things down but the final say was had by a man looking for redemption. After rarely seeing action since his moment of madness in Livorno, Fredy Guarin delivered the fatal blow for Mazzarri and his team. He took the ball 25 yards out and delivered a low, beautifully struck drive into the bottom corner.
Cassano was at times brilliant, Inter were hugely frustrating but a win is a win is a win. A price had to be paid and we will see how much they will miss two of their three centre backs against Napoli next week. Slowly but surely things are getting better, getting better all the time……..
