Parma’s Dimarco stuns Inter Milan at San Siro

MILAN, Sept 15, (AFP): On-loan Parma defender Federico Dimarco stunned his parent club Inter Milan with a brilliant winner in a 1-0 victory at the San Siro on Saturday, just days before the hosts meet Tottenham in the Champions League.

Luciano Spalletti’s Inter fell to their second league defeat this season and have only four points from as many Serie A games ahead of their return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2011-2012 season.

The 20-year-old Dimarco came on as a substitute just after the interval and unleashed a fierce long-distance strike into the top corner to score his first Serie A goal in the 79th minute.

“After two defeats from four rounds, it becomes difficult to find a reason or excuse,” said Spalletti. “We need to do more.” It gave promoted Parma their first league win this season, and first victory at the San Siro since May 1999.

Two-time UEFA Cup winners Parma were declared bankrupt and demoted to the amateur leagues in 2015, before back-to-back promotions saw them return to Serie A. “It might seem unthinkable to come here against a great side like Inter and take three points, but I applaud the lads for all their hard work this season and the determination they showed,” said Parma coach Roberto D’Aversa.

“Some of our players were making their debuts in Serie A, so it was important to have the experience from the likes of Bruno Alves and Gervinho.