Spezia shock Inter as Nzola scores a late winner

Spezia shock Inter as the Nerazzurri’s away blues continued with a 2-1 defeat. Inter had plenty of chances in the first half. But they were not clinical and struggled to combine in the final third. Inzaghi decided to make some changes as D’Ambrosio, Handanovic, Brozovic, and Lukaku all came into the starting eleven. Inter were coming with a comfortable 2-0 win over Lecce, but they again lost their away game to a relegation-threatened side.

Inter had a decent start to the first half with Dragowski saving an early shot outside the box from Lautaro Martinez. The Polish keeper had a terrific game and kept his side in the game with a penalty save early on. The referee decided to point to the spot after consulting VAR, as Caldara brought D’Ambrosio down in the box. But Dragowski stepped up to prevent the Argentine striker, who is in terrific form.

Spezia came close around the half-hour mark as they hit the crossbar. Agudelo’s cross went over Handanovic to hit the bar, who came off his line to the side. Inter came running on the transition with Lautaro, but the Argentine again could not beat Dragowski. The Polish keeper made himself big and made a huge save.

Image Credits: inter.it

Spezia shock Inter with a tactical switch in the second half

Semplici decided to make a couple of changes at the half time, and he shifted to a back four in defense. Spezia were struggling in the first half, as Inter were working the ball well, so Semplici decided to have more balance with a back four. Maldini and Ekdal came in the second half to help Spezia, and they got an instant result. Nzola showed great strength by holding two Inter defenders. Acerbi could have done better by coming across to stop Maldini, who made a late run and struck it the first time past Handanovic.

The Nerazzurri got another penalty, as Ferrer fouled Dumfries in the box. Lukaku stepped up this time and converted from the spot by sending Dragowski the wrong way. However, Dumfries conceded a penalty on the other end, as he fouled Kovalenko from the back. Spezia restored their lead, and Inter could not find another equalizer. Inter will now travel to Porto for the second leg of the UCL Round of 16.

Mangalam Pugalia: Mangalam is a football nerd who contributes as a match analyst at THE INTER WAY. He admires Antonio Conte’s system and can predict what the Nerazzurri manager will do next.
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