Internazionale 2-0 Genoa: Serie A leaders hold off Genoa charge to secure 12th straight win

First half goals from Kristjan Asllani and Alexis Sanchez were enough to secure a 2-1 win over Genoa for Inter Milan as the Nerazzurri won their 12th straight game in a row, extending their lead at the top of Serie A to 15 points. Making a 20th Scudetto looking much more like a matter of when not if.

Meanwhile Genoa sit comfortably in 12th place, 10 points off the relegation zone and can be proud of both their performance tonight and over the season so far.

It was a slow start to the first period, but Inter’s quality soon shone through as a well worked piece of play allowed Asllani to smash in from close range.

The home side doubled their lead not long after with a fortuitous penalty decision going their way. Giving Sanchez the chance to score his first Serie A goal of the season from the spot.

Inter began the second half with newfound energy, but it was Genoa who scored the games third goal with a sublime volley from Johan Vasquez halving the deficit.

However, this was as good as it got for Genoa who despite giving it their all against the league’s best side were undone by a professional if not pretty performance from Inter Milan. Who found a way to see the game out to full time and continue their march towards the title.

It was a far from perfect night for Simone Inzaghi’s side who weren’t always at their scintillating best and at times were under serious pressure from Genoa. However, like champions, or soon to be champions, do they found a way to end the evening with all three points.

With a 15 point lead the question now becomes when Inter will win a historic 20th Scudetto and not if and, after a 12th straight win, who can stop this imperious run they are currently on.

It was very much a team performance from Inter tonight but Barella was full of energy throughout. His runs from deep caused all sorts of issues for Genoa and his link up with Martinez at times was outstanding. He won the penalty for Milan’s winning goal, albeit if it could be deemed a slightly harsh decision, and on another night the midfielder could easily have got himself on the scoresheet too.

Inter Milan: Sommer 7, Pavard 7, de Vrij 6, Augusto 6, Dumfries 6, Barella 8, Asllani 8, Mkhitaryan 7, Dimarco 7, Martinez 7, Sanchez 5. Subs: Darmian 6, Acerbi 6, Thuram 7, Bisseck 5, Arnautovic 5.

Genoa: Martinez 7, De Winter 7, Bani 5, Vasquez 6, Sabelli 5, Messias 5, Badelj 6, Frendrup 6, Caricol 6, Retegui 7, Gudmundsson 6. Subs: Strootman 6, Spence 7, Oliveira 5, Ekuban 5.

30’ GOAL! INTER MILAN 1-0 GENOA (ASLLANI) – The home side make the breakthrough. Great play as Barella finds Martinez who spots Asllani coming in from deep. He plays the young Albanian in and he duly smashes the ball into the roof of the net

38’ GOAL! INTER MILAN 2-0 GENOA (SANCHEZ) – A second for the league leaders. A touch of good fortune with the penalty but it’s well taken by Sanchez who slots it into the bottom right corner. His first league goal of the season!

54’ GOAL! INTER MILAN 2-1 GENOA (VASQUEZ) – Out of nothing Genoa make a game of it! Vasquez with a sublime volley from the edge of the box which flies past a rooted Sommer.