Inter ended Sampdoria’s unbeaten start to Serie A as Mauro Icardi converted a last-minute penalty to earn the Nerazzurri a crucial 1-0 win at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday night.
Walter Mazzarri’s side looked set to be held at home for the third successive game in all competitions before substitute Zdravko Kuzmanovic was felled by Alessio Romagnoli with just seconds of normal time remaining.
Sampdoria have not beaten Inter at San Siro since 1996 and now since lost eight and drawn five matches.
Inter
Samir Handanovic – 6.5 – Catalyst
Slovenia international goalkeeper had little to do throughout the match, but made a critical fingertip save to deny Eder moments before Inter were awarded a penalty.
Andrea Ranocchia – 6.5 – Resolute
Inter captain gave away a penalty in the last match between the two sides, but defended strongly against Okaka and Eder.
Nemanja Vidic – 7 – Responsive
The summer singing from Manchester United recently admitted that he is still ‘adapting to life’ at Inter after a difficult start relished the physical battle with Okaka.
Juan Jesus – 6.5 – Accomplished
Quick 23-year-old left-sided centre-back dealt well with Gabbiadini.
Joel Obi – 6 – Auxiliary
23-year-old Nigerian midfielder provided good width on the right side before being replaced by Mbaye.
Hernanes – 6.5 – Influential
Linked up well with Kovacic at times in the first half before being substituted for Kuzmanovic following a coming together with Duncan after 52 minutes.
Gary Medel – 6 – Tenacious
Lost two teeth after being elbowed in the face by Ricardo Cruzado in Chile’s in 3-0 victory against Peru earlier this month, and was at his combative best again.
Mateo Kovacic – 7 – Creative
Inter’s most creative player showed great vision and received rapturous reception from San Siro crowd when substituted at the end of the game.
Dodo – 6.5 – Concerted
Left wing-back, who was called up with Inter teammate Juan Jesus for Brazil squad earlier this month for friendlies against Argentina and Japan, made a number of excellent forward runs.
Rodrigo Palacio – 5 – Timorous
The top scorer in his two seasons at Inter looks to be lacking confidence as he spurned a number of opportunities when clear on goal.
Mauro Icardi – 6.5 – Clinical
Was repeatedly frustrated by Romero but remained composed after lengthy Sampdoria protests to score the winning goal from the penalty spot for the second successive match.
Substitutes
Zdravko Kuzmanovic (52 mins) – 6.5 – Incisive
Replacement for Hernanes won the penalty on his first Serie A appearance this season.
Ibrahima Mbaye (78 mins) – 5.5 – Youthful
19-year-old replaced Obi for the third successive Serie A game as Inter pushed for a winning goal.
Rene Khrin (92 mins) – N/A
Sampdoria
Sergio Romero – 6 – Unfaltering
Argentina international goalkeeper made impressive reflex saves from Palacio and Icardi in the first-half, but was could get nowhere near the penalty.
Lorenzo De Silvestri – 5 – Aspirant
Right-back outlined his aim to break back into the Italian national team ahead of the match, but was given a tough test against Dodo.
Daniele Gastaldello – 5 – Fortuitous
Sampdoria captain was fortunate to be shown only a yellow card in the first-half for deny a clear scoring opportunity, and was substituted for Regini on 64 minutes.
Alessio Romagnoli – 4.5 – Rash
Left-footed central defender was composed until conceding a needless penalty as he swiped into the back of Kuzmanovic.
Djamel Mesbah – 6 – Assured
Algeria international left-back was assured against Obi on only his second start since joining from Parma in the summer.
Alfred Duncan – 6 – Determined
On-loan Inter midfielder was determined to impress against his parent club and could not believe that his powerful shot smashed off the crossbar in additional time in the first-half.
Angelo Palombo – 5.5 – Embattled
33-year-old midfielder, who made 3 appearances on a six-month loan deal in 2012, was good in possession but gave Kovacic too much space.
Pedro Obiang – 6.5 – Dominant
22-year-old Spanish midfielder was dominant in midfield making the highest number of tackles of any player on either side.
Manolo Gabbiadini – 5.5 – Fluid
Sampdoria’s top scorer this season went close to scoring his third free-kick of the campaign and held the ball up well on the right side.
Eder – 5.5 – Energetic
Last season’s top scorer worked hard though is still to find the net this campaign as he was brilliantly denied by Handanovic from close range.
Stefano Okaka – 5.5 – Conscientious
A threat when powerfully running in wide areas, but was unable to add to his 6 Sampdoria goals on his 200th career appearance. 25-year-old made his professional debut at Roma on September 29, 2005 in a goalless UEFA Cup tie away to Aris Thessaloniki.
Substitutes
Vasco Regini (64 mins) – 5.5 – Apt
Replacement for Gastaldello, who was on a yellow card, quickly settled into central defence.
Roberto Soriano (72 mins) – 5 – Elusive
An attacking replacement for Duncan in the last 20 minutes of the match, but was unable to make decisive impact.
Luca Rizzo (90 mins) – N/A
