report

BOLOGNA – Inter's yellow kit is proving something of a lucky charm as the Nerazzurri ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in Bologna this evening. 

Roberto Mancini's men began the game in a 4-3-3 formation with the players working hard for each other throughout the game. They stayed solid defensively and were rewarded for the efforts when a Bologna defensive error allowed Mauro Icardi to pass it home for the only goal of the match.

Bologna began the game well and tried to press Inter high up the pitch. The hosts were tactically spot on and, as a result, Inter's movement became slow and predictable. There was not much of note in the opening half an hour, aside from an Ivan Perisic header that went wide following a Nerazzurri free kick near the byline and two Bologna counter-attacks that Samir Handanovic did well to smother early. 

In the 38th minute, Matteo Mancosu left Andrea Ranocchia for dead but miscued his shot. In the follow-up, Geoffrey Kondogbia tried to get the ball in front of Adam Masina, but ended up fouling the Moroccan and picked up a yellow card. 

Inter created their first real chance a minute later when a cross heading straight for Icardi's head in the six-yard box was diverted behind for a corner at the very last moment. The rest of the opening 45 was played out without any more danger and the teams went in level at the break. 

There were no changes to either side during half-time. In the 50th minute, the Nerazzurri worked themselves a good opportunity when Perisic cut in from the right, but unfortunately his cross couldn't find Icardi waiting in the box. 

Two minutes later, Felipe Melo came in late on Anthony Mounier, warranting a yellow card that ruled the Brazilian out of the Roma game. Then in the 61st minute, Melo was judged to have made one foul too many after clattering into Emanuele Giaccherini and referee Luca Banti sent him into the changing rooms early for a second bookable offence. Now down to ten men, Mancini adjusted the system to a 4-4-1 with Adem Ljajic and Ivan Perisic playing high up the pitch on the wings. 

In the 67th minute, the Nerazzurri found themselves in a good position in the Bologna half. A searching ball intended for Ljajic wasn't dealt with by defender Alex Ferrari and it squirmed through to the Serbian international at the far post. He took one touch and served it up for Icardi who only had to stroke it home and hand Inter the advantage. Bologna were visibly shocked as the goal seemed to come out of nowhere. 

As the minutes ticked away, Fredy Guarin came on for Perisic and immediately found Icardi with a cross that the Nerazzurri captain put narrowly wide. That was to be the Argentine's last contribution as he then made way for Jonathan Biabiany to come on for a spirited 15 minutes. Soon after, Rodrigo Palacio also came on for Ljajic. 

There was still time for Handanovic to make a hero of himself deep into the five minutes' injury time when he repelled Mattia Destro's volley from point-blank range and made sure of the three points. 

Admittedly, Inter weren't on sparkling form tonight, but the team was clinical and solid. These qualities have historically always made the difference in Serie A. 

BOLOGNA 0-1 INTER (HT 0-0)

Scorers: Icardi (77).

BOLOGNA: 1 Da Costa; 24 Ferrari, 28 Gastaldello, 13 Rossettini, 25 Masina; 22 Rizzo (10 Destro, 81), 21 Diawara, 8 Taider; 17 Giaccherini (23 Brienza, 71), 11 Mancosu (7 Falco, 81), 26 Mounier.
Subs not used: 32 Stojanovic, 97 Sarr, 3 Morleo, 5 Pulgar, 6 Crisetig, 15 Mbaye, 18 Acquafresca, 33 Brighi.
Coach: Delio Rossi.

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon, 25 Miranda, 23 Ranocchia, 5 Jesus; 77 Brozovic, 83 Melo, 7 Kondogbia; 22 Ljajic (8 Palacio, 87), 9 Icardi (11 Biabiany, 81), 44 Perisic (13, Guarin 71).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 10 Jovetic, 12 Telles, 14 Montoya, 17 Medel, 27 Gnoukouri, 55 Nagatomo, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Bookings: Kondogbia (39), Felipe Melo (53), Rossettini (87).
Sent off: Felipe Melo (61, second yellow), Mancini (90).

Additional time: 1+5.
Referee: Luca Banti.
Assistants: Claudio La Rocca, Fabrizio Posado.
Fourth official: Giorgio Peretti.
Additional assistants: Domenico Celi, Maurizio Mariani.