Goals from Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic after the restart saw Inter secure a 2-1 victory over Chievo, ensuring the Nerazzurri remain in the race for a Champions League spot.
It wasn’t easy for Luciano Spalletti’s men however, as the Milan giants struggled to cope with the Flying Donkeys and their aggressive style for all of the opening half.
Things changed immediately after the restart, as Icardi tapped home and Perisic added a second to make it 2-0 in the 61st minute.
A late goal by Mariusz Stepinski made for a nervy end to the match for the Nerazzurri, however they held on to keep pace with Roma and Lazio, who cruised to victories over SPAL and Sampdoria respectively.
Chievo started strongly and came close to taking the lead after just 12 minutes. Manuel Pucciarelli’s half-volley seemed destined for the back of the net, but it came back off the upright to keep the score at 0-0.
Emanuele Giaccherini continued the home side’s strong play, forcing Samir Handanovic into a great save from distance.
On the other side Inter struggled to find a breakthrough, as they responded via Yann Karamoh, but his finish went wide of the mark.
Handanovic continued to be the Nerazzurri’s best player, denying Fabrizio Cacciatore and then Pucciarelli once more.
Inter’s less than inspired play left Luciano Spalletti with quite a bit to think about at half-time, but things changed right after the restart.
Marcelo Brozovic fired from distance, and though Danilo D’Ambrosio sent the rebound across the goal for a wide open Icardi to tap home, the Italian was deemed to be in an offside position.
However, after consulting with VAR, referee Paolo Valeri awarded the away side with the goal, though it didn’t stop the Chievo players from protesting the decision.
The goal eased the pressure on Inter, and they seemingly put the match to bed with an inspired second in the 61st minute.
Some great passing between Karamoh, Rafinha and Perisic came to a head with the Croatian slotting under Sorrentino from close range.
Davide Santon came on for Karamoh soon after as Inter switched to a three-man backline to close out the contest, and the switch nearly resulted in a third.
Perisic broke down the left and worked his way to the Chievo penalty area, finding an on-rushing Rafinha, who saw Sorrentino push away his attempt.
However when things appeared to be done and dusted, an Inter giveaway gifted Valter Birsa with the ball, and his pass was slotted home by Stepinski.
Amazingly, the comeback was nearly completed in the dying seconds, but Nenad Tomovic couldn’t slot home from close range, allowing Inter to move to 66 points – one back of Roma and Lazio.
Next up for the Nerazzurri is the Derby d’Italia with Juventus at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday, while Chievo visit Roma.
