Monza 2-2 Internazionale: Luca Caldirola scores at the death to deny Nerazzurri three points in Serie A title race

Inter Milan were dramatically denied victory in injury time as they were held 2-2 at Monza on Saturday night.

The visitors had the lead for 70 minutes before Luca Caldirola’s header was deflected past Andre Onana by Denzel Dumfries.

After inflicting the first defeat of the season on Napoli in midweek, Inter took a lead in the tenth minute through wing-back Matteo Darmiani who came in from the right flank to latch onto Alessandro Bastoni’s low cross from the left.

The lead lasted just a minute before Patrick Ciurria’s fantastic low curling effort brought the home side level.

Inter’s advantage was restored when Lautaro Martinez robbed Pablo Mari, who had just received a pass from goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, in the penalty area and then scored into an empty net.

The second half saw a lot of Monza possession but few chances and, before the late drama, the closest to adding to the scoreline was Martinez who shot against the post with six minutes remaining in normal time.

However, in added time, Ciurria’s cross from the right flank found Caldirola at the back post and a big ricochet off Dumfries’ head saw the ball drift back beyond Andre Onana and into the net.

Inter remain in fourth seven points behind leaders Napoli, having played a game more, while Monza lift a position to 14th.

TALKING POINT

Freak goal should not dent Inter belief – The professional manner Inter seemed to have won this game in would have built confidence they could challenge for the Scudetto, which must have started to blossom after the victory over the leaders on Wednesday. Though seven points adrift seems a lot more than five, with only 17 games played there is still a long way to go in Serie A. Though Napoli are the best team, the pressure they will surely face as front-runners looking for their first title in 33 years could easily open up opportunities to other sides. Of these, Inter look as strong as any with a depth of goalscoring options and solid performers on every line. A peculiar and unlucky equaliser here after defending well for the whole second half should not cloud this. That said, Nicola Barella left the field in some discomfort with an injury in the closing stages and were he to miss an extended period it would lead a void hard to fill.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Lautaro Martinez (Inter) – He played a bit-part in Argentina’s World Cup victory but he is likely to be integral if Inter are to put in a title challenge in the second half of the season. Coming in for Romelu Lukaku, he looked Inter’s most dangerous attacking option throughout the match whether running behind the Monza defence or linking with the midfield to play others in. The winning goal was a strange one was an indication of how switched on he was tonight and he was the width of the post away from making any late drama irrelevant.

PLAYER RATINGS

Monza: Di Gregorio 6; Marlon 6, Pablo Mari 5, Izzo 6; Birindelli 6, Pessina 6, Jose Machin 7, Carlos Augusto 6; Ciurria 8, Dany Mota 7; Petagna 6.

Subs: Caldirola 7, Gytkjaer 6, Ranocchia 7, Colpani 6, Caprari 6.

Inter: Onana 6; Skriniar 7, Acerbi 6, Bastoni 7; Darmian 7, Barella 6, Calhanoglu 6, Mkhitaryan 6, Dimarco 7; Dzeko 6, Lautaro Martínez 8*.

Subs: Asilani 6, Lukaku 5, Gagliardini 5, Gosens 6, Dumfries 5.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

10′ GOAL FOR INTER! Darmian puts the visitors in front half-volleying home on the six-yard box a cross from Bastoni.

11′ GOAL FOR MONZA! A fantastic strike from Ciurria, his first touch just inside the area set himself up to swerve a ball inside the far post and he did just that with a low effort.

22′GOAL FOR INTER! Martinez has Inter in front. A very strange goal. Pablo Mari receives a ball from his goalkeeper and tries to beat the Argentine striker who tackles him then puts the ball into a near empty net.

84′OFF THE POST! Good run from Bastoni into the area and then the ball ricochets to Martinez whose effort beats the keeper but comes back off the woodwork.

90+3′ GOAL FOR MONZA!That did not look like it was coming. Ciurria crosses from the right flank and it is headed back beyond Onana by Caldirola, via a deflection off Dumfries.

KEY STAT