Bologna come back to beat Inter 2 - 1

BOLOGNA – Despite a wonderful start at the Stadio Dall’Ara which saw Ivan Perisic fire Inter into an early lead with three minutes on the clock, Simone Inzaghi’s side came unstuck and left Bologna with nothing to show for a strong performance in which the Nerazzurri created plenty of chances but ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat due to goals by Marko Arnautovic and Nicola Sansone.

It was a cruel Wednesday night to forget for Inter after playing well, dominating, scoring early and letting a lead slip thanks to a costly goalkeeping mistake in the 82nd minute. Ionut Radu’s first league start of the season in the rearranged Serie A Week 20 fixture may well be remembered for the wrong reasons. In a game where Inter had plenty of chances in the first half to be out of sight before Bologna equalised through Arnautovic’s header, an unpredictable moment in the second half ensured Inter remain on 72 points in the standings, with AC Milan on 74.

This fixture was originally scheduled for 6 January, so it was nearly four months in the making as the end of the campaign draws close. Inter’s final four games are against Udinese, Empoli, Cagliari and Sampdoria, while the team headed into the clash at Bologna fresh off the back of five victories on the bounce.

Radu came in for Samir Handanovic between the sticks for his first league appearance of the season, while Robin Gosens, Arturo Vidal and Felipe Caicedo stayed in Milan and Alessandro Bastoni dropped to the bench. The Rossoblu had Gary Medel available after his suspension was reduced.

Inter were quick off the blocks and had a lead to show for it within three minutes. After brilliant work by Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella, Perisic picked up the ball, nutmegged a defender and unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike from the edge of the box that flew into to the top corner. Bologna were on the ropes and the only problem was that the Nerazzurri didn’t make the domination count.

Federico Dimarco called an inspired Lukasz Skorupski into action in the 10th minute before Lautaro sent an effort over the top. El Toro tried again on 18 minutes but luck was not on his side. Even Milan Skriniar went on a foray forward to try to get in on the act in the 25th minute, with Inter desperate to build on their lead. It didn’t go to plan, however, as Musa Barrow whipped in a cross that Arnautovic headed home against his former employers.

Inzaghi’s side reacted ferociously with Denzel Dumfries sending some dangerous crosses into the box in a bid to restore the lead. Bologna’s game plan was to send long balls into Arnautovic, with Radu equal to his header as the half wore on and eventually ended all square.

Inter showed their attacking endeavour in the second half, with Dimarco intent on scoring, but unable to convert any of his four efforts on goal in the space of ten minutes. Joaquin Correa also went close but his header was straight at Skorupski, while Theate made a crucial block to deny Dumfries. Inzaghi sent on the cavalry in the form of Alexis Sanchez and Edin Dzeko in pursuit of a breakthrough, but the final pass or finish was lacking.

The game took a twist in the 82nd minute when Radu’s attempt to pass the ball from left to right across his goal ended up with the ball trickling towards the goal-line for a grateful Sansone to prod over the line to make it 2-1.

Inter rallied but were ultimately unable to stage a late comeback. D’Ambrosio went close as the ball was launched into the box at regular intervals, but there would prove to be no miracle and the cruel side of football emerged on a night that could’ve gone so differently. 

Bologna 2-1 Inter (HT: 1-1) Scorers: Perisic 3, Arnautovic 28, Sansone 82.

BOLOGNA (3-5-2): 28 Skorupski; 5 Soumaoro, 17 Medel, 6 Theate; 29 De Silvestri, 32 Svanberg (20 Aebischer, 67), 30 Schouten, 21 Soriano (8 Dominguez, 67), 3 Hickey; 9 Arnautovic (7 Orsolini, 88), 99 Barrow (10 Sansone, 77).Subs not used: 22 Bardi, 2 Binks, 4 Bonifazi,14 Viola, 15 Mbaye, 19 Santander, 55 Vignato, 71 Kasius.  Coach: Emilio De Leo.

INTER (3-5-2): 97 Radu; 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 32 Dimarco (33 D'Ambrosio, 70); 2 Dumfries (36 Darmian, 80), 23 Barella (7 Sanchez, 63), 77 Brozovic, 20 Calhanoglu (5 Gagliardini, 80), 14 Perisic; 10 Lautaro, 19 Correa (9 Dzeko, 63).Subs not used: 1 Handanovic, 21 Cordaz, 8 Vecino, 13 Ranocchia, 38 Sangalli, 47 Carboni, 95 Bastoni.Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Arnautovic, Barella, Dumfries, Calhanoglu.Booked: Simone Inzaghi for dissent.Added time: 4+5 minutes.

Referee: Doveri.Assistants: Imperiale, Cecconi.Fourth official: Marchetti.VAR: Fabbri.Assistant VAR: Paganessi.