In a dramatic Serie A encounter, Genoa defied their “Old Fool” nickname with a spirited fightback to snatch a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan, ending the Nerazzurri’s 15-match unbeaten run in head-to-head fixtures. The result leaves Inter’s league lead precariously balanced, while Genoa breathe a sigh of relief, moving seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Early on, Genoa adopted a resolute defensive approach, mirroring their solid draw with Juventus before Christmas. However, a momentary lapse in concentration saw Inter steal the lead on the stroke of halftime. A fortuitous ricochet from Nicolò Barella’s shot landed at the feet of Marko Arnautović, who finally broke his Serie A duck for Inter with a simple tap-in after 14 years of waiting.
But the drama was far from over. In a pulsating nine minutes of stoppage time, Genoa rose from the ashes. Albert Guðmundsson’s pinpoint corner found Radu Drăgușin unmarked at the far post, who nodded past Yann Sommer despite the Swiss keeper’s valiant attempt.
The second half witnessed a tactical chess match. Inter, stung by the equalizer, piled on the pressure, with Arnautović and Çalhanoğlu coming close to restoring their lead. Genoa, however, remained defiant, Guðmundsson testing Sommer with a diving header.
As the game wore on, Inter’s superior bench strength seemed to offer an advantage. However, the introduction of Alexis Sánchez failed to spark a winner, and it was Genoa who ended the game stronger. Drăgușin almost snatched all three points with a late header, only to be denied by Sommer’s outstretched glove.
Ultimately, a draw felt like a just reward for Genoa’s resilient performance. They breached Inter’s defense for the first time in five home encounters, highlighting their improved form under Alberto Gilardino. For Inter, the unbeaten away run (7 wins, 2 draws) remains impressive, but their lead at the top could be slashed to just two points by the weekend.
Man of the Match: Albert Guðmundsson (Genoa)
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