BOLOGNA. A goal by the usual Romelu Lukaku at Inter is enough to conquer the Dall’Ara of Bologna, in the postponement of the 29th matchday of Serie A, and fly to +8 in the standings against Milan with a game to recover. By winning Wednesday against Sassuolo, Antonio Conte’s Nerazzurri would reach +11, effectively closing the Scudetto speech with nine days to go. For Lukaku he is the number 20 center in the league, confirming an extraordinary season. Inter as always cynical, able to capitalize on the work of its offensive totem in the best possible way and then defend itself in an orderly manner, giving only the crumbs to the opponents.
The eight consecutive victories are the sign of a team now launched at full speed towards a well-deserved Scudetto, thanks to a Count capable of keeping the group always on the piece despite the turmoil for the corporate events linked to the future of the Suning property. In any case, Bologna came out on top, with a test of courage and personality even if there was no flicker in attack in order to actually worry the Nerazzurri battleship. In Inter, Conte recovers Handanovic, but leaves de Vrij at rest, both veterans from Covid. Thus Frog plays in defense alongside Skriniar and Bastoni. On the wings, space for Hakimi and Young, with Barella, Eriksen and Brozovic in the middle.
Forward the Lukaku-Lautaro couple. In Bologna, Mihajlovic is without Skorupski stopped by Covid and the young Ravaglia plays in the door. In place of the suspended Palacio there is Skov Olsen, preferred to Orsolini, in the trio with Sansone and Soriano behind the only striker Barrow. Bologna immediately very aggressive, with Inter defending low as always and then triggering Lukaku and Lautaro on the counterattack. In the first twenty minutes the Nerazzurri were dangerous with a left-footed shot by the Belgian from the central edge and with a free-kick from Eriksen just outside.
The rossoblù replica, first with a right from the edge by Samson with the ball over the crossbar and then with an insidious cross by Skov Olsen from the right that Handanovic blocks with some difficulty. At the first real opportunity, however, Inter passes the half hour with Lukaku. The Belgian first commits Ravaglia with his head, on Young’s cross from the left, then on the rebound he deposits the ball in the net from two steps. After a couple of minutes the Nerazzurri even close to doubling with a header from Ranocchia, on a corner, just wide.
Bologna tries to raise the center of gravity, but thus ends up allowing spaces for Inter’s restarts, again dangerous with Lautaro and then with Barella from a distance. At the end of the period Bologna is seen again, with a right from the edge of Schouten deflected for a corner by Handanovic. Even in the second half, Bologna started better, Mihajlovic’s team was immediately aggressive and almost equalized with a slightly high right from the center of the area. However, when Inter attacks is deadly, Lautaro hits a sensational post from the edge of the area with the first ball touched in the second half. The rossoblù response with a low shot by Barrow, with the ball just wide.
After an hour Eriksen’s game ends, in his place inside Gagliardini. The Dane, even without shining, was the protagonist of a sacrificial and tactically careful race. Bologna insists and becomes dangerous again with a shot from the center of the area by Sansone, Handanovic thwarts. The opportunity failed by the newly entered Svanberg, who freed from a rebound, kicks to the stars only in front of Handanovic is sensational. Ten from the end, Mihajlovic is played all out by inserting Orsolini for Skov Olsen and the young Juwara for Dijks for an ultra offensive line-up.
Conte’s team, however, defends itself with great attention even with the attacked as the newly entered Sanchez. Confirming the spirit of sacrifice, Brozovic and Bastoni do not think twice about being cautioned by warned players in order to stop two dangerous restarts of the opponents. Bologna courageously tries to the end, but without being able to scratch the wall erected by the Nerazzurri in front of the goal defended by Handanovic. Game over.