Inter come from two behind to rescue a point against Parma

MILAN - At times on Saturday it seemed as if the scoreboard was displaying the wrong result. Inter vs. Parma finished 2-2 on Halloween, despite a game which the Nerazzurri dominated. It was Gervinho who scored twice for the visitors, bagging a brace via the Crociati’s first two efforts on target. It seemed as if it was trick instead of treat as the home side went two goals down, although Inter never gave up. This tenacity eventually paid off thanks to goals from Brozovic and Perisic, with Vidal very nearly snatching a winner in the 94th minute. It ultimately ended all square at the Meazza, thus earning Inter a point on matchday six. 

Without Lukaku and Sanchez, Perisic was the man teaming up Lautaro up front in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Meanwhile, Liverani’s side set up with a three-man defence that was, in essence, made up of five throughout, with Grassi and Pezzella playing deep on the flanks. 

Inter started well with Barella picking out Perisic, although the Croatian was unable to keep his strike on target. This was a recurring theme throughout the first half, as Inter dominated proceedings camped out in the opposition half but were unable to make the breakthrough. There was, therefore, little to celebrate during the first half, as the Parma backline defended well and suffocated the Nerazzurri attack. Prior to the break, it was Gagliardini who stepped up in providing a sense of energy and was insistent in attacking the Gialloblu box. However, despite neat interplay and attacks down the wings, Inter were unable to score the opener, with Sepe often at hand to keep out any chances. The first-half whistle came with the game goalless despite Inter’s eight shots and 10 corners.

The second half started in the worst way possible: Hernani picked out Gervinho, who slid the ball past Handanovic. It was Parma’s first shot on target, and the visitors had an unexpected lead. This was then followed by Parma’s second soon after, with Gervinho once again on the scoresheet to bag his fifth goal against the Nerazzurri.

With 62 minutes gone, Inter found themselves two down from two Parma chances. However, the Nerazzurri managed to respond instantly through Brozovic, who managed to beat Sepe and find the bottom corner of the net with his left foot. It was a goal that gave Inter hope again, with Conte’s men promptly going on the hunt for an equaliser. Shortly afterwards, the Nerazzurri had a big penalty shout as Perisic was wrestled to the ground by Balogh, but the Piccini (who had replaced the injured Pairetto as the match referee) waved play on. Then, Ranocchia was denied by a brilliant point-blank stop from Sepe.

With the match coming to a close, Inter poured forward, with Perisic and Young occupying the wings and Pinamonti partnering Lautaro up front. And the Nerazzurri’s pressure finally paid off: in the 92nd minute, Kolarov whipped in a free kick and Ivan Perisic was there to head home. Then, with 94 minutes on the clock, Vidal came inches away from winning it, a goal that Inter would have very much deserved.

Thanks to this draw, Inter now sit on eleven points in the league ahead of their trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

INTER (3-4-1-2): 1 Handanovic; 6 de Vrij, 13 Ranocchia, 11 Kolarov; 2 Hakimi (15 Young 78'), 23 Barella (44 Nainggolan 78'), 5 Gagliardini (77 Brozovic 58'), 36 Darmian (99 Pinamonti 68'); 24 Eriksen (22 Vidal 58'); 14 Perisic, 10 Lautaro.Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 97 Radu, 33 D'Ambrosio, 42 Moretti, 48 Carboni, 49 Satriano, 95 Bastoni.Coach: Conte.

PARMA (3-5-2): 1 Sepe; 2 Iacoponi, 4 Balogh, 7 Gagliolo; 8 Grassi (15 Brugman 84'), 33 Kucka, 23 Hernani, 14 Kurtic (18 Cyprien 74'), 3 Pezzella; 11 Cornelius (45 Inglese 46'), 27 Gervinho (19 Sohm 74').Substitutes: 40 Turk, 77 Rinaldi, 10 Karamoh, 30 Valenti, 93 Sprocati, 99 Adorante.Coach: Liverani.  

Goalscorers: 46' and 62' Gervinho (P). 64' Brozovic (I), 92' Perisic (I)Bookings: Hernani (P), Ranocchia (I)Note: Conte (I) bookedAdded time: 2' - 4'.

Referee: Piccinini*.Assistants: Liberti, Passeri.Fourth official: Pairetto.VAR and VAR Assistant: Maresca, Ranghetti.

*Pairetto picked up an injury as he warmed up for the match. Piccinini, originally the fourth official for today's game, therefore replaced him