Inter Milan are top of Serie A on a record-setting 25 points, and they got there the hard way. A 2-0 win at Venezia was settled by two own goals in the last ten minutes, after the hosts had two goals ruled out and Ivan Provedel had made the saves that kept the game goalless.
A game that refused to open up
Cristian Chivu's side did not play well at the Penzo Stadium, and nobody in the squad pretended otherwise afterwards. Venezia made it awkward and thought they had scored twice, only for both goals to be taken away. In the first half Provedel stopped efforts from Kike Perez and Lauberbach, and that was the difference between a draw in the making and the three points Inter eventually took.
For the keeper it was a first clean sheet in an Inter shirt, and he was the first to say it was not a perfect performance. He told reporters that the team had stayed solid, found a way to break the deadlock and collected the points, and that a night like this happens sometimes.
Two own goals settle it
The deadlock broke in the final ten minutes, and it broke in Inter's favour without a shot being struck cleanly. First Moreno turned the ball into his own net, then Halhal did the same, and Venezia went from a spirited draw to a defeat in the space of a few minutes. Marcus Thuram, described in post-match coverage as the match-winner, spoke of staying in the game and scoring two important goals.
It is worth being plain about what happened. Inter did not carve Venezia open. They waited, kept the shape, and took the gifts when they arrived. Champions often win games this way, and it says something about the squad's temperament that they are comfortable doing it.
The derby is next
The result takes Inter to 25 points from nine matchdays, their best return after that many games in the three-point era. Next up is AC Milan at the San Siro on Saturday 31 October, kicking off at 20:45, and Provedel suggested the match will prepare itself, with the coach needing only to deal with tactics. Andy Diouf, the French midfielder, agreed that the derby matters to the players and the supporters alike.
Chivu will want more from his team in attack than they showed in Venice. A derby is rarely decided by own goals, and Milan will not be as generous. Still, a side that can win while playing badly has a cushion that its rivals envy. Our verdict is that Inter go into Saturday as favourites, but they will need to find their sharper edge to stay clear.
Match facts: Venezia 0-2 Inter, Serie A, Penzo Stadium. Both goals were own goals in the final ten minutes, from Moreno and Halhal; the source did not give exact minutes. Two Venezia goals were disallowed. Inter lead Serie A on 25 points after nine matchdays and visit AC Milan on Saturday 31 October.
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