Inter Milan beat Genoa 2-1 in 27th week of Serie A

The dynamic duo of youngster Kristjan Asllani and seasoned veteran Alexis Sanchez net goals within six minutes at the San Siro

Serie A frontrunners Inter Milan secured a 2-1 victory over Genoa Monday, extending their lead to 15 points ahead of second-placed Juventus in their pursuit of a 20th league title.

The dynamic duo of youngster Kristjan Asllani and seasoned veteran Alexis Sanchez netted goals within six minutes at the San Siro, bringing Inter one step closer to surpassing local rivals AC Milan in Scudetto triumphs.

Inter won the match 2-1 and made 72 points.

With this victory, Inter increased the point difference with the second-place Juventus to 15 points. Genoa remained at 33 points.

Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella and Genoa attacker Mateo Retegui threatened to break the deadlock in an open first half an hour.

After 31 minutes, Asllani did one better than them, following a smooth Alexis assist.

Albania’s Asllani, who turns 22 on Saturday, fired home into the top corner, claiming his first senior goal since June 2022, which came against Inter when he was still at Empoli, to put the hosts 1-0 up.

“To be honest, I had waited a long time for this goal and hoped it would come at San Siro,” Asllani said.

“It’s a special emotion scoring here,” he said.

Inzaghi’s outfit doubled their advantage six minutes later from a penalty checked by VAR. Alexis converted Inter’s 11th spot kick of the season, following Asllani in opening his account for the campaign.

Inter kept up the pressure on Genoa after the break with attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan troubling visiting goalkeeper Josep Martinez after 52 minutes before the away side surprisingly cut the deficit.

Mexico center-back Johan Vasquez volleyed low past Yannis Sommer two minutes later, as Inter conceded just their 13th goal in 27 league games this season.

Alberto Gilardino’s side thought they had equalised after 66 minutes but Portuguese striker Vitinha was denied his first goal for the club after drifting offside.

Inter held on for three points, as France attacker Marcus Thuram came off the bench for Sanchez after two weeks out with injury, despite English defender Djed Spence’s late chance for the visitors.

Next up for Inter is Saturday’s trip to fourth-placed Bologna before heading to Atletico Madrid for March 13’s Champions League last 16 second leg with a 1-0 lead.

Source: AFP

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