INTER-TORINO 3-2
(25′, 35′ and 60′ Thuram; 36′ Zapata, 86′ Vlasic)
Inter’s report cards – Edited by Ivan Cardia
Summer 6.5 – Just one save, but a very beautiful one: ready to go, in plastic flight to defuse Ricci’s bomb from distance. Little can be done on Zapata, he senses but does not reject Vlasic’s shot from the spot.
Bisseck 5 – It doesn’t reward Inzaghi’s trust. The usual courage in the attacking phase is nullified by the clumsiness shown at 2-1 against the grenade: even though he was booked, he took a seat in the room in the second half. (From 46′ Pavard 6 – He helps Acerbi manage Zapata and proposes himself. Without praise, but without the German errors).
Unripe 6 – Contributes to two goals in the space of two minutes. He breaks through from the left wing and offers Thuram the ball to make it 2-0; then – as a supporting actor, the part belongs to Bisseck – he participates in Zapata’s goal which immediately reopens the competition. About Duvan: He’s faster and bigger too, but somehow he holds it.
Sticks 7.5 – Extra-large evening: he always keeps the engine revs very high, thanks to the fact that the Toro has one man less. He assisted Thuram’s first goal and also participated in the other two goals scored by the Frenchman. (From 81′ De Vrij sv).
Darmian 6 – It could hurt more on several occasions, but he makes the wrong choices. Ordinary administration on the band. (From 68′ Dumfries 5.5 – So-so in the uncertain Inter final).
Frattesi 6 – He starts by losing a bloody ball, but overall he is appreciated for his contribution both in insertions and in maneuvers.
Calhanoglu 5.5 – The high: that launch for Darmian, spectacle. The bottom: the penalty that gives Inter a closure thrilling. He plays well, but cannot allow himself certain light-heartedness.
Mkhitaryan 6.5 – Confirms the growing trend: lots of support and lots of dirty work for his teammates. Ultimately, he’s the one who keeps the midfield up. (From 77′ Zielinski 6 – It fits in well.)
Dimarco 6.5 – The reserve light turned on at the end is a classic: until the 75th minute, however, everything was more than fine.
Thuram 8.5 – Perfect match and opponent for the definition of a showman. His ankle resists, no one knows how, Maripan’s intervention: red for the Chilean. It is the first piece of his one man show: with a header or a robbery, he not only breaks the deadlock but brings home the ball with a hat-trick. Standing ovation and response to Retegui: for the title of top scorer there is also Tikus. (From 68′ Taremi 5.5 – He comes in and scores a couple of goals.)
Lautaro 5.5 – Thuram is unblocked and he is blocked, even if only for one evening. He doesn’t take advantage of at least two great opportunities to score, the usual job for his teammates.
Simone Inzaghi 6.5 – Last time we gave him half a vote more, this time half less. The third victory in a row, for the first time this season, is excellent news. On matchday seven, however, his Inter conceded more goals and in more matches than in the entire first half of last season: it’s something to reflect on.
Torino’s report cards – Edited by Filippo D’Angelo
Milinkovic-Savic 6 – There is little he can do about the three goals scored by Inter, stopped by a series of interesting saves which made the deficit less burdensome for Toro.
Walukiewicz 5 – In clear difficulty with the continuous percussions of Inter, who especially in their area found space to go and sink. He also gets a yellow card late on.
Coco 5.5 – He struggles in duels with Inter’s attackers, especially with Thuram who easily overcomes him and mocks him even during Inter’s temporary 2-1 lead. Smudges that weigh on his performance.
Maripan 4 – It is not possible to leave your team with ten men after just twenty minutes. His intervention against Thuram, truly foolish and dangerous, was rightly punished with a red card after a VAR check.
Lazarus 5.5 – Not an hour of proactive play from the winger, who doesn’t shine against his former team, leaving infinite spaces for Dimarco in the lane. From the 62nd minute Vojvoda 5.5 – Called into action to give greater dynamism to Toro on the flank: he fails in his aim.
Gineitis 6 – He has the merit of having triggered Duvan Zapata’s goal with a perfect low shot, exploited to great effect by the Colombian. Bonus aside, Inter’s dribbling suffers a lot, especially due to Toro’s numerical inferiority. From 62′ Ilic 5.5 – Not a high level half hour from him, who struggles and fails to avoid the knockout for Toro.
Ricci 5.5 – In the control room he tries to impose himself but Inter’s dribbling was clearly superior. From 83′ Vlasic 6.5 – He takes the responsibility of kicking a penalty with a few minutes left, beating Sommer with a splendid finish.
Linetty 5.5 – He does a great defensive job, expending a lot of energy which however is not useful for Toro to avoid the second consecutive knockout in the championship.
Pedersen 6 – Much more proactive than Lazaro, given that he accelerated and attacked even when Toro found himself with ten men. It’s a shame that his dedication wasn’t useful in avoiding another knockout.
Adams 6 – He is the one who pays the consequences of Maripan’s red card, given that on the half hour mark he leaves the field to make room for a defender. He has very little time to make an impact in the face of an aggressive and very high-pressing Inter. From 32′ Masina 6 – He manages to win the penalty kick then converted by Vlasic but, otherwise, the work of the Inter midfielders and attackers suffers a lot.
Zapata 6.5 – He plays alone after Maripan’s expulsion, finding a beautiful goal during the first half. It’s a shame about the injury suffered in the second half: the hope is that his left knee hasn’t suffered serious repercussions. From 84′ Karamoh sv.
Lino Godinho 5.5 – Replaces the suspended Vanoli but fails to give Turin a boost, penalized by Maripan’s expulsion. In view of Cagliari, however, a different performance will be needed.