Mateo Kovacic and Andrea Ranocchia were among the goal scorers for Inter Milan as Roberto Mancini claimed his first win since his return against Chievo Verona on Monday night.
The Nerazzurri moved up one place to 11th on the standings following a 2-0 win at the Italian Serie A strugglers’ Bentegodi Stadium. Inter are now just six points behind Lazio, who presently occupy the third Champions League qualification spot.
Goalkeeper Samir Handanovic pulled off some terrific saves for the visitors in a one-sided first half, notably, denying Chievo’s Alberto Paloschi from point blank range inside ten minutes of kickoff.
Kovacic broke the deadlock nine minutes later, slotting in Mauro Icardi’s headed pass from Yuto Nagatomo’s cross following a poor clearance by Alessandro Gamberini- his first goal of the season.
Handanovic was called into action again on 32 minutes, palming away Riccardo Meggione’s overhead kick. The Slovenian goalkeeper’s resilience almost gave in on the nick of half-time, when Gennaro Sardo’s cross from the right bye-line bounced off the upright and crossbar and came off the face of Sardo at the back post.
Nagatomo was sent through on goal by Fredy Guarin immediately after the restart but sent his left-footed effort wide.
Chievo’s Paloschi also sent his effort wide after Kuzmanovic lost possession in midfield to allow the hosts break quickly with a three-on-two counter attack.
Inter doubled their lead in the 56th minute, with their unmarked skipper Rannocchia tapping in from the edge of the area D’Ambrosio’s cross.
Chievo ended the game with ten men as Ruben Botta received a second yellow card and his marching order for a forearm smash on Kuzmanovic during a mid-air challenge on 72 minutes.
Inter capitalised on their numerical advantage as Mancini reshuffled his lineup with fresh bloods to close out their first win in six games.
Following the Milan derby- Mancini’s first game on return- Inter had lost to AS Roma (4-2) and Udinese (2-1) in the league.
