Inter 2-0 Genoa: Dimarco shines again as leaders cruise to victory


Inter moved 13 points clear at the top of Serie A after cruising to a comfortable 2-0 win over Genoa at San Siro.

Federico Dimarco and Hakan Calhanoglu were both on target for Cristian Chivu’s side, who bounced back after a disappointing Champions League play-off exit to Bodo/Glimt in midweek.

Ange-Yoan Bonny twice called Justin Bijlow into early action, with the goalkeeper getting across sharply to push away his curler before pouncing onto the forward’s header on either side of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s deflected looping effort rattling the crossbar.

But in the 31st minute, just after that second save, Bijlow was beaten as Dimarco’s stunning form continued when he fizzed a first-time effort into the bottom-right corner after watching Mkhitaryan’s pass drop over his shoulder.

Genoa attempted to impose themselves on the game without causing Yann Sommer any problems, before substitute Alex Amorim gave away a penalty for a handball.

Calhanoglu confidently stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, powering his effort into the bottom-right corner 70 minutes in.

Genoa almost snatched a consolation through a late Manuel Akanji own-goal, but the defender’s wayward touch was straight at a relieved Sommer as Inter held out for a clean sheet and all three points.

Data Debrief: Inter have Genoa’s number

Inter, who produced 1.54 xG to their counterpart’s 0.21, are now unbeaten in their last 14 Serie A matches against Genoa (W11 D3), scoring 35 goals during this run while conceding only five.

And while their Champions League performances left some questions, their league form is red hot; they have won 14 of their last 15 top-flight matches (D1), including each of their last eight.

Dimarco was once again a standout; he has scored six league goals this season, his highest-ever tally, while he now has 20 goal involvements in total for the campaign (also 14 assists).

Calhanoglu, meanwhile, made his return from injury with a goal; he has scored more penalties in Serie A than any other player since his arrival at Inter, netting 21 (since 2021-22).




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