In a weak opening phase, recently struggling Inter Milan could have been 1-0 down in their clash with Serie A bottom side US Salernitana. After that, however, the Nerazzurri turned up the heat – with Barella and three-pointer Lautaro Martinez in particular impressing. As did Dzeko and wild card Gosens, who showed himself to be direct.
Insecurity was evident from the start of the game after four games without a win and without a goal of their own. The Milanese side produced numerous misplaced passes in the early stages, allowing the visitors to create counter-attacking opportunities. They were almost punished for their carelessness, but Verdi missed a free kick from eleven metres to make it 1-0 for the Serie A bottom side (3rd minute).
It took Milan ten minutes to shake off their uncertainty and then they took full control of the game. Barella and Lautaro Martinez, in particular, radiated enormous enthusiasm for the game in the first half. First, the Argentine slammed the ball against the crossbar after a fine Barella chip ball (20th). As the first half progressed, the attacker did better and took advantage of two dream passes from the Italian European champion to score a brace (22nd, 40th).
Martinez and Dzeko push the result upwards
After the restart, the Nerazzurri took it easy and pressed only from the halfway line. However, the visitors could think of little to do against the Lombards, who were standing deep. The team from the fashionable city then showed how efficient offensive play can be. A beautiful combination via the omnipresent Barella and former Bundesliga pro Dzeko was completed by Martinez for 3:0 (56.). His third goal.
Inter-Coach Simone Inzaghi then made a lot of changes and spared some players in view of the Champions League match in Liverpool. Among others, newcomer Gosens made his Serie A debut for Milan – and the German international was immediately the centre of attention with his first action: After a fine pass from Barella, Gosens passed flat inside – and Dzeko scored the 4:0 (64.). In the further course of the game, the visitors hardly put up any resistance: The club from Salerno was lucky that only Dzeko was able to successfully finish one of the numerous scoring opportunities (69.) – 5:0.
With the victory, Milan jumped to first place – at least temporarily – and are now preparing for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 at Liverpool FC after the 2-0 defeat in the first encounter (Tuesday, 9 p.m.).
