Superior First, Inter Milan Detained By Genoa

Inter Milan confirmed their position at the top of the standings after drawing against Genoa. (X/@Inter)

JAKARTA - Inter Milan closed the year by failing to win. In the duel against host Genoa at the Commerce Stadium Luigi Ferraris, Saturday, December 30 in the morning WIB, Inter drew 1-1.

Inter had to settle for one more point when they visited Genoa's headquarters. The real result is disappointing.

But the absence of several pillar players made Inter unable to perform optimally so as to fail to win the match.

In the away match, coach Simone Inzaghi still has not been able to field flagship striker Lautaro Martinez who has not recovered from injury. Apart from the captain, Inter was not strengthened by Federico Dimarco and Juan Cuadrado.

Meanwhile, Denzel Dumfries, who has recovered, started the match on bench. Dumfries was only played in the second half replacing Matteo Darmian.

Inter started the match by threatening Genoa's defense through striker Marcus Thuram. But Thuram's header was thwarted by goalkeeper Josep Martinez.

As the match went tight, the referee then stopped it because smoke entered the field which limited his eyes.

Smoke is caused by acne that is turned on by the audience. After the smoke began to disappear, the match, which had stopped for 15 minutes, continued.

The game became even more interesting after the delay because the two teams attacked each other. Genoa was recorded twice as threatening the Inter defense. But their attack was thwarted.

In a slightly depressed situation, Inter managed to take the lead when striker Marko Arnautovic broke into Genoa's goal in the 42nd minute.

The goal started with Inter's attack through Nicolo Barella. But Martinez's volley.

However, Martinez's rebound fell at the foot of Arnautovic who immediately fired a shot into the net. The score changed to 1-0.

Unfortunately, Inter could not maintain the advantage. A few minutes later or when the match entered first-half injury time, Genoa managed to equalize the score.

Goals came after Rade Dragusin' header hit Yan Sommer's goal. Even though he was able to reach it, the ball kept sliding into the net. The first half ended with a score of 1-1.

Entering the second half, Inter showed their dominance. Unfortunately, no goals were created. Arnautovic and Barella's chances were recorded by goalkeeper Martinez.

Likewise, Francesco Acerbi's header, who continued Hakan Calhanoglu's free kick, still failed. The 1-1 draw did not change until the end of the match.

The draw confirmed Inter's position at the top of the standings with 45 points. A five-point lead with Juventus who are in second place.

Juve will cut the distance of points if they win over AS Roma in a big match at the Allianz Arena, Sunday, December 31 in the morning WIB.

Meanwhile, Genoa remained in the middle board by ranking 13th with the 20th point. Just like Lecce, but Genoa lost the goal difference.