Salernitana 1-1 Inter Milan: Late Antonio Candreva goal denies his former club the win

Antonio Candreva scored a last-gasp equaliser for Salernitana to hold Inter to a 1-1 draw

Simone Inzaghi’s side raced into an early lead after just six minutes. Romelu Lukaku intelligently headed into the path of Robin Gosens who rifled his effort home to put Inter 1-0 up.

Guillermo Ochoa kept the game from getting away from Salernitana in the first half by producing a string of top saves, including one to deny Lukaku from point-blank range on the brink of half time.

The game burst into life in the second half with both sides having a succession of big chances.

Just three minutes into the second period Inter struck the woodwork, Nicolo Barella found space outside the area before firing an effort which struck the post.

Inter came inches from doubling their advantage in the 65th minute when Lukaku’s effort crashed off the crossbar and Stefan de Vrij’s rebound was superbly saved by Ochoa.

Five minutes later it was Salernitana’s turn to hit the woodwork. Candreva whipped in a terrific ball from the right-hand side which Boulaye Dia connected well with but his effort cannoned off the crossbar.

With 90 minutes on the clock, former Inter man Candreva earned his side a precious point when he fired in a cross which looped over Andre Onana and into the back of the net.

TALKING POINT – A GOALSCORING ISSUE

Inter were once again punished for failing to take their chances to put the game out of sight. The result means it’s now six games across all competitions without a win and they have scored just three goals during that time. They had 25 shots against Salernitana, 11 shots on target and even struck the woodwork twice but could not find the killer second goal. In the two recent Serie A matches against Juventus and Fiorentina they had a combined 34 shots but failed to score a single goal. April is going to be a decisive month for the club across several competitions and Inzaghi’s side are going to have to start finding the back of the net if they are to have a good end to the season.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – GUILLERMO OCHOA (SALERNITANA)

The 37-year-old Mexican was simply phenomenal in goal for Salernitana. He made several brilliant saves to keep Salernitana in the game at 1-0. He made 10 saves, nine of those came from shots taken inside the box. A superb performance from the veteran ‘keeper.

PLAYER RATINGS

Salernitana: Ochoa 9, Daniliuc 7, Gyomber 7, Pirola 7, Bronn 6, Vilhena 6, Coulibaly 6, Bradaric 7, Kastanos 7, Candreva 8, Piatek 6 Subs: Troost-Ekong 6, Caviglia 6, Bohinen 6, Botheim 6, Dia 6

Inter: Onana 6, De Vrij 7, Acerbi 7, Darmian 6, Dumfries 7, Barella 7, Asllani 7, Mkhitaryan 7, Gosens 8, Correa 6, Lukaku 7 Subs: Brozovic 6, Gagliardini 6, Dimarco 6, Dzeko N/A, Martinez 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

6′ GOAL – INTER – Inter take the lead after just six minutes. Lukaku smartly heads the ball into space for Robin Gosens who runs onto it and rifles it into the back of the net.

45′ A HUGE SAVE FROM OCHOA! – That is a serious let-off for Salernitana. Dumfries does well to float in a cross from the right-hand side which is met by Lukaku but the Salernitana keeper adjusts brilliantly to save it on the line.

48′ OFF THE POST! – Inter come so close to making it 2-0! Nico Barella finds space outside the area before firing an effort which rattles the post.

65′ UNBELIEVABLE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS! – The ball comes to Lukaku just a few yards out but his header hits the bar, the rebound then falls to De Vrij who heads towards goal but Ochoa is back up in a flash to save it. Unbelievable reflexes and Inter will be wondering how they are now 2-0 up.

71′ OFF THE CROSSBAR! Candreva fires in a superb ball from the right-hand side which Dia meets but his effort cannons back off the crossbar!

90′ GOAL – SALERNITANA – The hosts have scored an equaliser and surely earned a point! Antonio Candreva fires in what looks to be a cross which loops over Onana and into the back of the net!

KEY STAT

Inter have now failed to win in their last six matches, their worst streak since February 2018.