Icardi gives De Boer late relief
MAURO ICARDI scored with two minutes left to give Inter Milan a dramatic 2-1 win over Torino which possibly saved beleaguered coach Frank de Boer’s job yesterday.
De Boer, who has only been in charge for 13 games, was under threat after Inter lost their last three league games and club president Erick Thohir was in the crowd at the San Siro, having travelled from his native Indonesia, along with directors of Chinese owners Suning.
Inter went ahead after 35 minutes when Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart anticipated Antonio Candreva’s pass into the area but failed to hold the ball which rebounded off Icardi and into the net.
Marcelo Brozovic and Candreva both missed clearcut chances before Icardi rescued Inter, collecting Joao Mario’s pass with his back to the goal, wriggling free of his markers and unleashing an unstoppable shot on the turn which flew past Hart.
Juventus made light work of Sampdoria as headers from Mario Mandzukic and Chiellini put them 2-0 ahead in just eight minutes, for a 4-1 victory.
It was not all plain sailing as a poor back pass by Chiellini allowed Dennis Praet to set up Patrik Shick in the 57th minute.
But Miralem Pjanic scored again for Juve and Chiellini made amends by heading a fourth from Juan Cuadrado’s cross.
Edin Dzeko scored two, taking his league tally for the season to 10, to help secondplaced Roma come from behind and beat Sassuolo 3-1 away.
Roma fell behind to a Paolo Cannavaro header in the 12th minute and trailed until the 57th minute when Dzeko broke down the left and scored with an angled shot.
Dzeko won and converted a penalty in the 76th minute, Radja Nainggolan added another two minutes later to guide Roma to an impressive win.
In another matches, Ciro Immobile scored a brace as Lazio sailed to a 4-1 win over Cagliari. Napoli moved into third place by beating lowly Empoli 2-0. – Reuters