Torino 0-2 Inter: Milito and Cassano seal points

The Nerazzurri had the strike pairing and keeper Samir Handanovic to thank for the result, as Andrea Stramaccioni's side continued its rich vein of form away from San Siro

By SW Lim

More On :  Inter, Torino, Torino vs Inter

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AFP

Inter capped an effective showing at the Olimpico with a 2-0 victory, as Torino played host to Andrea Stramaccioni's men on Sunday evening.

Talk leading up to the match centred around how Inter would pick itself up from a comprehensive 3-1 defeat to Roma at San Siro two weeks ago, with the trip to the newly-promoted Torino seen as the perfect opportunity to get its Scudetto charge back on track.

Making three changes to the side that capitulated against Zdenek Zeman's outfit, Inter took its time to get into the game, ceding territory and possession to the hosts, who dominated early proceeding without overtly threatening Samir Handanovic's area.

With the match turning into a dour, stolid display, it took a thunderbolt of an opener from Diego Milito to restore luster to the match, popping up to hand Inter the advantage in the 14th minute.

On the Nerazzurri's first actual foray forward, a loose ball was seized upon by the Argentine hitman. Taking just the deftest of touches, the 33-year-old let fly from 25 yards, leaving Jean-Francois Gillet grasping at thin air as the ball slammed into the bottom right corner.

Torino responded immediately through Alessandro Sgrigna and Angelo Ogbonna in succession, the striker immediately heading wide as play restarted before the Italy international drew a fine save from former Udinese custodian Handanovic.

Giampiero Ventura's men picked up two bookings in as many minutes, and from the resulting free-kick awarded in the 25th minute, Wesley Sneijder almost doubled his team's lead; the Dutch playmaker powered in an effort that had Gillet diving at full strech to parry away.

Sgrigna lit up the opening minutes of the second period with a strong run at the heart of his opponents' defense that finished with a shot hitting the woodwork, but the linesman had raised his flag for offside instances earlier. Sneijder responded for Inter with a speculative effort from distance that flew high over the crossbar in the 52nd minute.

Bianchi was presented a golden opportunity, after substitute Riccardo Meggiorini sent in played in a beautiful ball to his feet, but Inter's keeper was to once more prove his nemesis. Torino continued to be denied reward for its constant endeavor, when Meggiorini broke the offside trap in the 65th minute only to fire into the side netting.

Tension was beginning to rise for at the Olimpico, as Guarin became just the latest player to pick up a yellow card from the referee; Alessandro Gazzi failed to capitalize from the ensuing set-piece despite getting a good connection however, jumping to head wide of the post.

The 29-year-old was left ruing what could have been, for Inter clinically sealed the result shortly after. A routine cross from the left in the 84th minute appeared to find Esteban Cambiasso, only for the midfielder to dummy beautifully and allow the ball to reach Antonio Cassano, who made no mistake from five yards.

Inter rounded off a clinical display by shoring up in defense and midfield, with the Milanese giants keeping pace with front-runner and Italian champion Juventus with the result. Inter welcomes Siena to San Siro next week, while Torino remains on three points.