Inter make first ‘misstep’ in title defense with draw at Sampdoria
ROME, Sept 12, (AP): Inter Milan made the first misstep of its Serie A title defense with a 2-2 draw at Sampdoria on Sunday.
The result left the Nerazzurri two points behind Napoli, which extended their perfect start with a 2-1 win over Juventus .
With nine goals in its opening three matches, Inter have not had trouble scoring after Romelu Lukaku’s departure to Chelsea. But the team missed reliable center back Alessandro Bastoni, who was out with a left thigh injury that he picked up on international duty with Italy.
SOCCER
It remains unclear if Bastoni will return in time for Inter’s Champions League opener against Real Madrid on Wednesday at the San Siro.
“It’s regretful, because we should have and could have won a game like that,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, who replaced the departed Antonio Conte. “We took the lead twice and we should have closed it out.”
Inter played the final minutes with 10 men due to an injury to midfielder Stefano Sensi, who appears doubtful for the Madrid game.
Homegrown talent Federico Dimarco opened the scoring for Inter by curling a free kick around Sampdoria’s wall and into the top left corner for a memorable first goal with the senior club.
Maya Yoshida equalized for Sampdoria after the half-hour mark with a shot that was deflected in off Inter striker Edin Džeko.
Lautaro Martinez restored Inter’s advantage
with an expert volley to conclude a counterattack started by Nicolò Barella, who provided a laser-like cross.
Barella, a key member of the Italy squad that won the European Championship, has provided assists in all three of Inter’s matches this season.
In a match full of spectacular goals, Sampdoria’s Tommaso Augello made it 2-2 with a volley similar to Lautaro’s.
Promoted Salernitana were routed 4-0 at Torino and have now conceded 11 goals and scored only two in three consecutive losses on their return to Serie A for the first time in nearly a quarter century.