Inter 1-0 Torino: Player ratings as Nerazzurri grind out important win
Inter extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table to seven points with a professional 1-0 home victory over Torino on Wednesday evening.
The match was the Nerazzurri's last before the winter break and they signed off with three points thanks to a first-half goal from wing-back Denzel Dumfries - earning their seventh win in a row in the process.
Torino started strongly with Marko Pjaca bending an effort just wide and Bremer seeing a header saved inside the first 20 minutes.
Despite this, it would be the hosts who took the lead on the half-hour mark. Dumfries was the scorer, finishing off a sweeping counter attack by side-footing Edin Dzeko's cutback into the bottom corner.
Eight minutes later they should have had another. Lautaro Martinez did the hard part, rounding Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the Torino goal, but his effort bobbled past the post.
The game lacked intensity throughout but there was a particular lull after the break with neither side looking likely to score.
Things continued in much the same way throughout the second half with even the introduction of a string of substitutes failing to spark the game into life. The closest we came to seeing another goal was when Alexis Sanchez struck the post with a powerful effort in the closing stages.
Here are your Inter player ratings...
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Samir Handanovic (GK) - 6/10 - Forced to bat the ball away on several occasions during Torino's early spell of pressure.
Milan Skriniar (CB) - 7/10 - Inter's best defender in possession, he barely gave the ball away.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) - 7/10 - Typically composed at the heart of defence. Read things expertly, ending with two interceptions and four tackles.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) - 6/10 - A strange turn of events saw him through on goal in the first half. He didn't score. Defensively he was sound, aside from a few wobbles. Tried to progress his side up the pitch - not always successfully.
2. Midfielders
Denzel Dumfries (RWB) - 7/10 - Scored for the second game in a row, and it was a fine finish. Stuck to his defensive duties diligently too.
Marcelo Brozovic (CM) - 7/10 - Drove his side up the pitch in the build-up to their opener. Such a calming presence on the ball throughout.
Arturo Vidal (CM) - 8/10 - Provided energy in the absence of Nicolo Barella. Broke up play and then used the ball efficiently. All-action performance that proved he's still got it.
Hakan Calhanoglu (CM) - 7/10 - His side's creative hub in midfield. Spritely in possession and carved open a few opportunities, though will miss Inter's next game after picking up a harsh yellow.
Ivan Perisic (LWB) - 6/10 - A danger down the left, but his crossing might have been better. He's made a strong start to the season, though.
3. Forwards
Edin Dzeko (ST) - 7/10 - Set up the opener, perhaps slightly fortuitously. Provided a great focal point, battling for the ball and holding it up when he did get it.
Lautaro Martinez (ST) - 6/10 - Missed a great chance just before the break. On the end of some physical challenges but kept plugging away.
4. Substitutes
Matias Vecino (CM) - 6/10 - Did not do anything wrong.
Alexis Sanchez (ST) - 5/10 - Hit the post late on. Might have scored.
Stefano Sensi (CM) - N/A
Danilo D'Ambrosio (RWB) - N/A
Federico Dimarco (LWB) - N/A
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