Sanchez rescues crucial point for Inter at Torino

TURIN - Inter left it late to snatch a potentially crucial away point at Torino when Alexis Sanchez bagged an equaliser deep into stoppage time after Gielson Bremer had given the hosts a first-half lead at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.

Simone Inzaghi’s side failed to keep up the pace with fellow title challengers AC Milan and Napoli, both of whom recorded wins over the weekend, but the Nerazzurri do still have a game in hand away to Bologna to play. It certainly wasn’t for want of trying, as the combination of a lack of composure in front of goal and impressive saves by Etrit Berisha helped the hosts remain in the lead for most of the contest until Edin Dzeko brilliantly laid off the ball to Sanchez, who sent a right-footed strike in off the post.

Inter’s fourth consecutive away draw in the league leaves the team on 59 points, four behind leaders Milan.

From one away game to another, with Turin the setting for the Sunday-night clash in the first fixture since the impressive win at Anfield in the Champions League. Both matches were a challenge but for different reasons. On Tuesday, Inter faced one of the top teams in Europe, with Lautaro Martinez notching the only goal of the game, while an aggressive Torino side was desperate to clinch a first victory since January and set out with a clear game plan.

Inzaghi was unable to call on Stefan de Vrij or Marcelo Brozovic, who both got injured in European action, with Andrea Ranocchia and Matias Vecino coming into the team, while Matteo Darmian got the nod down the right wing.

Within three minutes of kick-off, there was a clear indication that this was never going to be a stroll in the park, as the physical Andrea Belotti got away from Ranocchia and unleashed a vicious left-footed strike that went into the side netting. The fascinating battle between the forward and defender was a constant theme in the first half.

The opener came with 12 minutes on the clock when a Torino corner ended up at the feet of Bremer, who poked the ball into the corner amid a pinball situation. The goal lifted the hosts and they almost doubled their lead when Belotti forced Samir Handanovic into a fine low save.

Lautaro got on the end of Hakan Calhanoglu’s free kick as Inter looked to bounce back, but Berisha made a stunning stop to keep it out. The Turk whipped in an in-swinging corner on 30 minutes that seemed destined to nestle in the far corner only for the shotstopper to claw it away.

Inzaghi shuffled his pack at half time by sending on Federico Dimarco and Robin Gosens for Alessandro Bastoni and Ivan Perisic, with the changes nearly yielding an equaliser early in the second half. Dimarco’s fine free kick was almost turned in by Vecino before Dzeko sent the Italian through on goal, only for his effort to go straight down the keeper’s throat.

The feeling that it might not be our night started to simmer when the Bosnian found himself alone in front of goal, but sent a header from Vecino’s pinpoint cross off target.

Gosens showed his defensive prowess when he slid in to make a crucial block to deny the seemingly unstoppable Josip Brekalo as he waltzed into the Nerazzurri box. Handanovic then had to fly through the air to claw Armando Izzo’s header away.

More changes were required for Inter, as Arturo Vidal, Sanchez and Joaquin Correa entered the fray, with the Chilean midfielder’s right-footed strike getting deflected behind for a corner as the pressure ramped up.

There was a sinking feeling in the 89th minute when Dzeko sent another header over the bar as stoppage time loomed, but Inter kept plugging away and the equaliser eventually arrived in the third minute added on when Vidal released Dzeko, who laid the ball off for Sanchez to fire it into the far corner via the post, with Berisha getting a touch to it but unable to keep it out.

1-1 was a fair reflection on the numerous chances created by the visitors, but there is still a feeling of disappointment in the Turin air. Next up for the Nerazzurri is a meeting with Fiorentina at San Siro on Saturday.

Torino 1-1 Inter (HT: 1-0) Scorers: Bremer 12, Sanchez 90+3.

TORINO (3-4-2-1): 1 Berisha; 26 Djidji (5 Izzo, 51), 3 Bremer, 99 Buongiorno (13 Rodriguez, 76); 17 Singo (15 Ansaldi, 76), 10 Lukic (28 Ricci, 82), 38 Mandragora, 27 Vojvoda; 4 Pobega, 14 Brekalo; 9 Belotti (19 Sanabria, 82).Subs not used: 31 Milan, 89 Gemello, 11 Pjaca, 13 Rodriguez, 70 Warming, 77 Linetty. Coach: Ivan Juric.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 13 Ranocchia, 95 Bastoni (32 Dimarco, 46); 36 Darmian, 23 Barella, 8 Vecino (22 Vidal, 68), 20 Calhanoglu (19 Correa, 76), 14 Perisic (18 Gosens, 46); 9 Dzeko, 10 Lautaro (7 Sanchez, 68).Subs not used: 21 Cordaz, 97 Radu, 2 Dumfries, 5 Gagliardini, 11 Kolarov, 33 D'Ambrosio, 88 Caicedo.Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Bastoni, Ranocchia, Izzo, Dimarco, Gosens, Barella, Juric.Added time: 1+5 minutes.

Referee: Guida.Assistants: Giallatini, Bresmes.Fourth official: Marcenaro.VAR: Massa.Assistant VAR: Preti.