Inter capped off 2023 with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Friday evening.
Inter travelled to Genoa to face the newly promoted side, a match that was easier said than done. So far this season, Genoa have taken points from Serie A sides such as Lazio, Napoli, Roma, Juventus and Sassuolo, as well as dragging AC Milan along all the way until the final minutes of the match where the Milanese side were able to find a winner. It is safe to say that facing Genoa, and especially travelling to the Ferraris, is no easy task this year.
With just one change compared to the predicted lineup for Inter, the visitors lined up as follows (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; Thuram, Arnautović.
Genoa, the hosts, lined up as follows (3-5-2): Martínez; Drăgușin, Bani, De Winter; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Strootman, Caricol; Ekuban, Guðmundsson.
The game started quite evenly with both sides having decent chances, but the most notable bit came in the 15th minute when the match was temporarily suspended due to poor visibility conditions. The home fans were particularly rowdy and had set off several smoke bombs, clouding the pitch with fog and making it impossible to see. This lasted for around 10 minutes, and the match resumed once the players were able to see each other again!
The first big chance came in the 33rd minute of play, when Genoa fullback Stefano Sabelli whipped a cross into the Inter box. Francesco Acerbi got a head to it, but flicked it on rather than clearing the ball. His flick-on whizzed towards the back post, and Genoa midfielder Milan Badelj was just unable to get to it in time for an easy tap-in.
In the 42nd minute, Nicolò Barella brought the ball down nicely with his chest, took a shot from outside the box which was deflected and forced Genoa keeper Josep Martínez to push the ball to his side, hitting off the post and directly into the path of Marko Arnautović to dribble into the net. This was the Austrian’s first league goal of the season and also his first Serie A goal for Inter since his debut for the club…all the way back in 2009!
Just minutes later, deep into added time of the first half (thanks to the smoke delay earlier in the match), Genoa had a corner. Albert Guðmundsson put a nice ball into the box, to which Radu Drăgușin rose and met in the air. A thumping header that Yann Sommer got a hand to, but couldn’t keep out of the net. The hosts had equalized on the brink of half-time.
Into the second half, it seemed Genoa were content with a draw and Inter didn’t have the physical energy to break down their defense. After some chances from both sides, the match ended in a draw and the year 2023 came to a close for each team.
Here is how we have rated the individual performances of the Inter players after today’s match.
Ratings
Yann Sommer – 5.5
What seemed to be his first real ‘mistake’ since signing for Inter. Got a glove to Genoa’s goal and probably could have kept it out.
Yann Bisseck – 6
Looked comfortable on the ball. Made a few blocks and carried the ball out well, something he seems to enjoy doing often.
Francesco Acerbi – 5.5
Wasn’t able to deal with Genoa’s forwards well and looked as if he was tired and out of it. Seemed as though playing 90 minutes week in, week out is catching up with him.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6.5
Defensively solid, as well as tried to make things happen on attack. Tried several of his signature long-balls which are so aesthetically pleasing to watch when they come off.
Matteo Darmian – 6
It’s obvious his days as fullback should be over, as he offers very little in attack. Although hats off to Matteo for stepping up with both Cuadrado and Dumfries injured.
Nicolò Barella (C) – 6.5
His shot led to Inter’s goal, and looked as though he was trying to make things happen all match. His temper and constant whining can be annoying, he must remember that he is Inter’s vice captain, and was captain today due to Lautaro Martínez being injured, before being booked for dissent.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 5.5
Had a couple of good shots, unfortunately that led to nothing. Too many miscued passes and was caught sleeping a few times. Not his best performance.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6
Looked very tired at the end of this match, needs a rest. Lost too many balls.
Carlos Augusto – 6
Contributed nicely defensively but wasn’t able to have the same effect on attack as his left wingback counterpart, Federico Dimarco, can. Still a hard worker and did well.
Marcus Thuram – 5
Unfortunately one of his least effective performances since signing for Inter. Was unable to connect well with his striker partner, Marko Arnautović, and didn’t have much of a direct impact on goal- with 1 shot on target and 0/2 successful dribbles.
Marko Arnautović – 7
Stringing together some good performances, and today his goal finally came. Had a few other close chances and did well to create opportunities in the first half.
Substitutes
Alexis Sánchez – 5
Unable to make an impact off the bench. Not involved much, with only 9 touches in 20 minutes of play.
Davide Frattesi – N/A
Played 10 minutes but touched the ball 4 times and completed 2/2 passes. Can’t really rate this performance.
Denzel Dumfries – 5.5
Nice to see our starting right wingback return from injury. Had a few defensive actions in the little time he was on.
Davy Klaassen – N/A
Entered in the 90th minute, unable to rate this performance.
Benjamin Pavard – N/A
Entered in the 90th minute, unable to rate this performance.
