Inter Milan win at Venezia, rise to second in Serie A table

Inter Milan battled their way to a slender 1-0 victory over Venezia on Sunday, with Matteo Darmian’s opportunistic strike proving the difference. The early goal lifted Inter to second place in the Serie A standings, one point ahead of Atalanta and just one behind league leaders Napoli. For Inter, this result was significant as it kept them firmly in the title race, but it also underscored their reliance on moments of brilliance amid an otherwise hard-fought contest.

The decisive moment came in the 16th minute. Lautaro Martínez, always a threat in the attacking third, unleashed a venomous low volley that forced a stunning one-handed save from Venezia keeper Filip Stankovic. However, the rebound fell kindly to Darmian, who reacted quickly to slot the ball into the net, leaving the home side stunned. The goal epitomized Inter’s clinical edge, as they capitalized on one of their early chances to take the lead.

Despite going behind, Venezia remained resolute, though they struggled to contain Inter’s attacking threat in the first half. The visitors dominated possession and frequently probed the Venezia defense, creating several half-chances. Stankovic, who is on loan from Inter, stood out as Venezia’s savior, making several important stops to keep his team within reach. His standout moment came just before halftime when he denied Martínez once again, ensuring Venezia entered the break trailing by only one goal.

While Inter controlled much of the first half, the absence of key players like Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Yann Bisseck was evident in their lack of fluidity in midfield. Simeone Inzaghi’s side struggled to find the killer pass that could unlock Venezia’s defense. Nevertheless, their defense remained sturdy, with Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi leading the backline to ensure Yann Sommer in goal had little to do early on.

The second half saw a much-improved Venezia, who came out with renewed vigor and aggression. Determined to find an equalizer, they pushed forward with greater intent. Issa Doumbia provided Venezia’s first real moment of danger when he connected with a well-delivered corner, sending a powerful header goalward. However, Sommer, Inter’s experienced goalkeeper, was equal to the task, producing a fine save to preserve his side’s slim advantage.

As Venezia gained confidence, Inter sought to reassert control and came close to doubling their lead. Davide Frattesi found himself in a one-on-one situation with Stankovic after a swift counterattack. However, the Venezia keeper was in inspired form, making a crucial save to deny Frattesi and keep the hosts in the game. The miss highlighted Inter’s struggles to convert their chances and put the game to bed, a recurring theme that has occasionally plagued their season.

The game’s most dramatic moment came midway through the second half when Venezia nearly stunned Inter with a brilliant attacking move. Gianluca Busio picked up the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a precise angled drive that seemed destined for the bottom corner. The shot beat Sommer but agonizingly struck the far post and bounced out. Joel Pohjanpalo was quick to react to the rebound, tapping it into the net, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside. The near miss sent a wave of frustration through the Venezia supporters, who had begun to believe an upset was within reach.

As the clock ticked down, Inter faced mounting pressure from a determined Venezia side. The hosts threw men forward in search of an equalizer, testing Inter’s defensive resolve. Despite their best efforts, Venezia struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Inter’s experienced backline holding firm. Bastoni and Acerbi were particularly impressive, making crucial interceptions and clearances to protect their lead.

Inter, for their part, sought to manage the game by controlling possession and slowing the tempo. Marcelo Brozovic, deployed as the midfield anchor, played a pivotal role in dictating play and breaking up Venezia’s attacks. However, the visitors were far from their clinical best, and their inability to extend their lead left the result in doubt until the final whistle.

In the dying minutes, Inter had one final opportunity to seal the victory. Denzel Dumfries, a constant presence on the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the box. Lautaro Martínez rose to meet it but sent his header narrowly wide of the target. The miss summed up Inter’s evening — dominant in stretches but lacking the cutting edge to turn dominance into a more comfortable scoreline.

When the referee blew the final whistle, Inter players and fans alike breathed a sigh of relief. The narrow victory marked their sixth consecutive away win in Serie A, a record achievement for the club, and their first in history while keeping a clean sheet in all six matches. The win moved them to 43 points, just one shy of Napoli at the top, though Inter have played one game fewer than the league leaders. For Venezia, the result was another painful chapter in a challenging season. The team remains second from bottom with just 14 points, though their spirited performance against one of Italy’s top teams offered some hope for the remainder of the campaign.

Filip Stankovic, despite being on the losing side, was undoubtedly the man of the match. The young goalkeeper, on loan from Inter, delivered a heroic performance, making several crucial saves to keep Venezia in the contest. His composure and reflexes under pressure earned him plaudits from fans and pundits alike. For Venezia, his contributions were a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult season.

Simeone Inzaghi will undoubtedly be pleased with the three points, but the Inter coach will also be aware of the areas needing improvement. The absence of key midfielders was evident in Inter’s lack of creativity, and their failure to capitalize on opportunities nearly cost them. With a busy schedule ahead, including crucial fixtures against title rivals and European competition, Inter will need to be more clinical if they are to sustain their challenge for silverware.

For Venezia, the match highlighted their fighting spirit and potential to compete at this level. While results have been hard to come by, performances like this suggest they have the quality to avoid relegation. The challenge for coach Paolo Vanoli will be to build on this display and translate it into points in the coming weeks.

In the broader context of the Serie A title race, Inter’s victory keeps them firmly in the hunt. Napoli’s narrow lead at the top sets the stage for an exciting second half of the season, with Atalanta and Juventus also in contention. Inter’s ability to grind out results, even when not at their best, could prove decisive in what promises to be a tightly contested campaign.

As fans reflected on the match, the overarching sentiment was one of admiration for the competitive nature of Serie A. Despite their contrasting positions in the league, both Inter and Venezia delivered a match filled with intensity, drama, and moments of brilliance. While Inter celebrated their ascent to second place, Venezia could take pride in their valiant effort, knowing that performances like this will be crucial in their battle for survival.