Inter Milan survived a scare at the hands of Parma Calcio as a late Ivan Perisic goal ensured a 2-2 draw in Serie A for the home side.
The game started on a bright note for Inter Milan, with Ivan Perisic coming close to his first goal of the season. Aleskandar Kolarov tried from long range but missed the mark before he found Achraf Hakimi in the box with a wonderful cross, only for the former Real Madrid man to head it over from close range.
Parma almost made Inter pay for their lack of finishing, but Samir Handanovic ensured the two sides went into the break 0-0. The second half, though, shocked Inter Milan as a quickfire double from Gervinho meant the home side were staring down the barrel.
However, Antonio Conte’s substitutions worked wonders as Marcelo Brozovic scored with a neat curling shot from outside the box before Ivan Perisic made sure Inter shared the spoils, getting on the end of an Aleskandr Kolarov free-kick to head home the equalizer.
Perisic set up Arturo Vidal for the winner in the dying embers of the game but the Chilean missed from inside the six-yard box. Let us take a look at how the individuals fared.
Samir Handanovic – 5.5
A below-average outing for Handanovic, who did make a good save in the first half. However, he could have done better to position himself for the first Parma goal while he couldn’t do much the second time out.
Stefan de Vrij – 6
Couldn’t handle Gervinho or Andreas Cornelius much and was at fault, to some extent for the second Gervinho goal in the second half.
Andrea Ranocchia – 6.5
Found it equally tough at the back but could have compensated with a nice goal from the corner. However, his effort flew over the bar. An off day for the Inter defenders.
Aleksandar Kolarov – 7.5
Wasn’t much effective defensively but was definitely Inter’s best attacker against Parma, despite playing as part of the three-man backline. The Serb could have had an assist in the first-half had Hakimi done better and it was his free-kick that led to Inter’s equaliser.
Was also a danger from long range, with a couple of good blasts towards goal and had the most accurate passes in the match (96)
Achraf Hakimi – 6
Did well to get into threatening positions, but failed to apply the finish. Needed to do better against a Parma team that allowed him all the space in the world at times.
Nicolo Barella – 7
Inter’s best midfielder of the night, Barella ran the show in midfield for the home side and was instrumental in Brozovic’s goal. Did get the assist for the goal as well. Sprayed the ball with intent and tried to get the attack going.
Roberto Gagliardini – 6
Wasn’t in his elements against Parma as he was easily overrun by the marauders whenever Parma went on the offensive. Failed to provide cover to Inter’s backline as Kolarov ventured forward, thus creating gaps in the defence.
Matteo Darmian – 5.5
Was almost invisible throughout the game as Kolarov was seen attacking that flank.
Christian Eriksen – 5
Another player who had an off day and couldn’t get the attack going against a sturdy Parma defence. It was the wingers and Perisic who had more joy entering the box and the final third.
Lautaro Martinez – 6
Came close early in the first half with an effort from outside the box but didn’t do much of note apart from it.
Ivan Perisic – 7.5
Could have grabbed his first goal of the season from the beautiful early cross during the beginning of the game but missed the mark. Got into good spaces and was ultimately rewarded for it at the end, getting the goal he so deserved.
Substitutes
Arturo Vidal – 6.5
Vidal was more influential right off the bat, coming on for Eriksen and could have very well grabbed the winner for Inter had it not been for some lacklustre finishing from his side. Did a good job and could be rewarded with a start soon.
Marcelo Brozovic – 7
Got the first goal to halve the deficit and get Inter going in the second half. Credit to Conte and his substitutions.
Andrea Pinamonti – 5.5
Came on for the invisible Darmian, Pinamonti wasn’t much better and it is something that Conte needs to look into for the said position.
Radja Nainggolan – N/A
Did not have much to do as Inter were continuously on the attack. Wasn’t seen contributing much to the offence either.
Ashley Young – N/A
Came on for Hakimi, but didn’t do anything of credit to warrant a rating on the night.
