Despite struggling to create out of the midfield, Inter managed to see off Bologna 2-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Injuries dominated the early stages with both Mauro Icardi and Mattia Destro forced off within the first fifteen minutes. Ivan Perisic and Danilo D’Ambrosio converted two second-half corner kicks three minutes apart. Franco Brienza netted a consolation goal at the death.
The first chance of the match fell to the home side five minutes in when Eder’s low cross rolled across the face of goal, just out of the reach of the sliding Icardi. The Argentine remained down clutching his knee in obvious discomfort and was substituted minutes later.
Minutes later Destro went down with a foot injury after Miranda landed on what appeared to be his toe. The Italian was promptly removed from the match.
In the 20th minute Emanuele Giaccherini released Godfred Donsah through on goal but the Ghanaian erred in choosing power over placement, smashing his effort wide of the near post.
Seconds later an Adem Ljajic cross found the head of Eder but the Italy international could only direct his effort straight at Antonio Mirante.
In the 35th minute Ljajic hit the base of the upright with an effort just outside the box.
Inter took the lead in the 73rd minute when a Marcelo Brozovic corner kick was headed on into the path of Perisic who nodded into the open goal.
Three minutes later Inter doubled their advantage on what was nearly a carbon copy of their first. Another Brozovic corner from the left was flicked on, this time by Miranda, to an open D’Ambrosio who volleyed into the far top corner.
Bologna made it interesting in the 90th minute when substitute Brienza converted a Geoffrey Kondogbia misplaced pass with a fine left-footed strike into the far corner.
The victory temporarily brings Inter to fourth place in the Serie A table, a single point ahead of Fiorentina who are in action on Sunday. Meanwhile, Bologna remain in ninth place.
