Inter hosted Genoa at the San Siro and are hoping to defend their title this year, read my match report to see how they beat Genoa 4-0.
Inter Milan 4-0 Genoa
21/08/21 Serie A first game of the season Inter Milan 4-0 Genoa:
The champions Inter milan kicked off the Serie A season in Milan hosting Genoa at the San Siro. Hakan Calhanoglu will be wanting to make a name for himself on his debut and boy he did that. It was unknown how Inter would perform given the changes that have taken place throughout this summer window as expectations were most likely lower given they had lost two of their best players. Romelu Lukaku rejoined his former club Champions league winners Chelsea and Achraf Hakimi joined French Giants Paris Saint Germain. Inter started very brightly in the game and would be hoping to do so given the fact they are defending their 2020/21 league title. It didn’t take long for inter to flourish on their bright start as they took the lead just 6 minutes into the Serie A season as Milan Skriniar got Inters first with a powerful header that found the back of the net as a result of Hakan Calhanoglu’s out-swinging corner. Genoa came straight back at Inter Milan though as Yayah Kallon was played through in behind the wall of blue shirts which was late to react, however, Kallon’s tame effort was well wide of goal a real let off for Inter. The first 15 minutes of the game was not shy of action as Marcelo Brozovics half volley on the edge of the box looked destined for the bottom corner however Genoas goalkeeper Salvadore Sirigu made a very good save to deny a second. Inter’s fast tempo football just proved too much for Genoa in the early stages of the game though and Calhanoglu who was making his league debut for his new club added to his career stats. Having already earned himself an assist inside the first 6 minutes of his league debut he then fired home Inters second in stlye. A tidy pass from Bosnian International Edin Dzeko, teed up Hakan who gave the keeper no chance from distance on his favoured right foot too powerful to save. It looked as though Sirigiu was going to have a busy day at the office, Dzeko began to hassle the jagged Genoan defence forcing Sirigu into another good save tipping the ball onto the woodwork. In the final 5 minutes of the half Genoa did finally wake up a little composing attacks nicely that lacked quality in the final third to find the finishing touch. Inter were forced to handle some pressure when Right Wing Back Matias Darmian gave the ball away far too easily in his box, the casualness from the defence nearly made Inter pay as Kallon looked to be in 1on1 again from a similar position however repeated his shot and dragged it well wide from close range. Inter did however have the ball in the back of the net again just before the end of the first half. Ivan Perisic was threaded through nicely resulting in what appeared to be a well deserved third goal, however this was quickly ruled out by the controversial VAR for offside calling time on the first half meaning Inter led by 2 at the break. Inter started the second half much slower than they did the first starting slow but retaining possession for long periods of time, meanwhile Genoa struggled to get into the game yet again they sat deep inviting pressure on. Genoa made a tactical change by stripping Kallon from the game and rightly so, the 20 year old will need a lot more composure infront of goal if he wants to make a name for himself although he did get into good positions he lacked any finishing ability to trouble Handanovic an experienced goalkeeper who was rarely troubled. The tactical change didnt seem to be having a lot of an impact though as it was the team in blue who had the ball in the back of the net again, another great strike from Turkish international Hakan Calhanoglu who seems to only score screamers. However his goal was quickly deducted and it is Ivan perisic who will be getting a lesson on the offside rule soon though as yet again his run was poorly timed before he set up the goal. Genoa began to come alive though as they won themselve a free kick right on the 18 yard line before crashing it into the wall, they came at inter again though through 38 year old football veteran Goran Pandev before the chance was squandered. It wasnt long before Edin Dzeko was causing problems for Genoa again using is height to force a sensational save from Sirigu displaying rapid reactions from the corner. Moments later Dzeko tested the keeper from range who proved his class again, the rebound however fell directly to Nicilò Barella who calmly, with flair while being closed down quickly, flicked the ball into substitute Arturo Vidal who made no mistake from close range. An outstanding display from Inter resulted in their 4th goal, Arturo Vidal who came off the bench added to his career assists also with a delightful ball into the man who had been nearing a goal all game. Edin Dzeko cooly headed home into the roof of the net and i think it is safe to say that Inter have already found their replacement for Belgium international Romelu Lukaku. Inter were on the front foot throughout the game and never looked like letting go of their lead, it may be early but this really is a statement and the pressure of being the champions really doesnt look like it is getting to them.
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