Inter triumphs, on the brink of winning Serie A

Inter have done their part, now it’s time for Sassuolo. Antonio Conte’s men managed to secure a win against the last-placed Crotone and their long-awaited title is now in the hands of Sassuolo. If they manage to take a point (or three) from Atalanta on Sunday, Inter will become the champion of the Serie A, four rounds before the end. If Atalanta wins, Inter will have a chance to officially take the title away from Juventus next week against Sampdoria. Inter totally deserved the victory, but it has not come easy. Cronote was tough and tried to „steal“ at least a point. Failing to do so means they are now officially relegated from Serie A. 

The first half was a chance to get a quick goal and an early lead against the basement club of Serie A, but it’s not how it happened. In reality, Inter had three really good chances, but their best strikers Romelu Lukaku and Lautar Martinez both missed it. First Lukaku’s shot hit the post in the 23rd minute, and after that, the same thing happened to Martinez 20 minutes later. It was a beautiful initial touch from the Argentine, the ball went back into his path, and he slammed the ball against the woodwork. Just a minute later, Crotone goalkeeper Cordaz secured that Sensi doesn’t score with a good save.

The second half was pretty much the same. Inter pressed and pressed, but Crotone prevailed until the 67th minute when a misfortune flick ended their hopes. A few minutes before the goal, Conte made a double substitution and Christian Eriksen came in, together with Alexis Sanchez. On the very next attack, Lukaku had a great assist from the edge of the box to the Dane, whose first shot of the game was enough for the goal. Luckily for him, the ball touched Magallan and slightly changed the direction, enough to trick the goalie: 1-0.

After a great play action, Inter scored the second goal in the 84th minute, but Perišić was offside before he made the assist to Lukaku, so VAR nullified the goal in the 84th minute. Deep in injury time, Hakimi scored for the final score and Crotone’s relegation.

SERIE A - Round 34

Saturday

Hellas Verona - Spezia 1-1 (0-0)

/Salcedo 46 - Saponara 86/

Crotone - Inter 0-21 (0-0)

/Eriksen 69, Hakimi 90+2/

21.45: Milan - Benevento

Sunday

13.30: Lazio - Genoa

16.00: Sassuolo - Atalanta

16.00: Napoli - Cagliari

16.00: Bologna - Fiorentina

19.00: Udinese - Juventus

21.45: Sampdoria - Roma

Monday

21.45: Torino - Parma