Football
Edoardo Dalmonte 6y

Super sub Eder saves the day as Inter Milan salvage draw vs. Torino

Inter Milan came away with only a point after drawing 1-1 with Torino. The visitors bravely tried to take the game to the Nerazzurri and could have gone ahead toward the end of the first half from a Daniele Baselli header.

Despite creating the lion's share of the chances, the Nerazzurri went behind to a Iago Falque beauty on the hour mark. Showing the usual pluck and determination, they quickly levelled through "super sub" Eder but were denied a winner by the bar late on.

Positives

Inter played better football than they are credited with. They didn't really struggle in the first half and had a bad moment after Torino scored from what was their second chance. The fact that they braved the storm and nearly won the game says a lot. Antonio Candreva is in absolutely scintillating form.

Negatives

Juventus have overtaken the Nerazzurri to retake second place. The team had some inactive patches. Inter aren't scoring enough for a Luciano Spalletti side, which probably comes with the compromises he's had to make in order for the defence to work. Torino manager Sinisa Mihajlovic was clever with his tactics, which kept a sloppy Mauro Icardi out of the box. Inter conceded again too, a bad sign for one of the better back lines in the league.

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- The style of play was good. Inter were trying quick, vertical passes into forward players looking for the triangle. Spalletti clearly is establishing a system and his subs came on at the right times. This feels like a game where Inter didn't get the right breaks but still showed progress.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Samir Handanovic, 7 -- What a save to deny Baselli! Can't be blamed for the goal. Needs to learn how to boot the ball away, sometimes going too short with his distribution.

DF Danilo D'Ambrosio, 6 -- A good game with some inaccuracy. Sometimes tried nice, crisp passes forward, but also fluffed a few. Showed good intent going forward.

DF Milan Skriniar, 6 -- Beaten to that Baselli header and could struggle on the ball under Torino's high press. Unlucky to see a header be cleverly parried away by Salvatore Sirigu, and was always dangerous on set pieces.

DF Joao Miranda, 6 -- Hesitated on Iago Falque's goal. Falque was his man. He's supposed to have more experience than that.

DF Yuto Nagatomo, 7 -- It's as if Spalletti is his artillery observer, the first coach to teach the Japan international man where to place his crosses. Genuinely an upgrade on Cristian Ansaldi, who was somehow called up by Argentina this week. Hard to blame for Falque's goal.

MF Matias Vecino, 7 -- Hit the bar late and made some splendid runs. May need to be quicker in understanding when certain quick give-and-gos are being played. A little up-and-down, but made some superb runs and hit the crossbar late on.

MF Roberto Gagliardini, 6 -- Looked lost at times, but he also produced a fabulous long ball for Candreva. Once ran back toward goal with Vecino when the ball had been cut back by Torino.

MF Borja Valero, 7 -- Precious pressing, made some shrewd passes as usual and back-heeled to Candreva after occupying three opponents. Dipped in the second half. His passing can be so smooth. A difference-maker.

MF Antonio Candreva, 8 -- Was absolutely everywhere. Great delivery on his crosses. Would score millions of points on Premier League fantasy through the sheer volume of production. Tireless.

MF Ivan Perisic, 7 -- Not sure where the criticism is coming from. Kept going for the clever feints, bobbing and weaving on the left. Played well in the middle too. Fluffed a promising volley, however.

FW Mauro Icardi, 6 -- Made up for a lack of sharpness in front of goal with that peach of an assist. We talk him up once a month when he floors an opponent, but needs to work on his ball control if he is to be allowed to roam near the box and become a truly great centre forward.

Substitutes

MF Eder, 7 -- A lifesaver! Went from fluffing a volley to scoring the leveller.

MF Marcelo Brozovic, 5 -- Didn't really play much of a role in 17 minutes.

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