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PALERMO – Tonight’s clash at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo ended as a draw, and what we saw on display was the Nerazzurri’s determination and character that allowed them to set things right after a shaky start. We refer specifically to the goal from Vazquez on 3 minutes after a rare moment of indecision from Vidic. It was the first one let in in 453 minutes. It also served as a wake-up call, even if it took a bit of time on this hot and humid evening in Sicily. And in between there were some nervy moments for Inter, such as when Dybala nearly scored in the 15th minute. Or when Lazaar’s cross sliced invitingly through the Nerazzurri box untouched.
However, Inter showed they were still in this match, and it was Guarin who shook the team to life with one of his trademark long-range blasts that finished just off target. Then on 42 minutes came the equaliser through Kovacic, who advanced and found the net with a clinical right-footer. The result gave a boost to the visitors who grew stronger as the half proceeded. Just before the half-time whistle Vidic saw his goal disallowed, as Osvaldo was in an offside position.
The second half began as the first one had, with another disallowed goal – this one ‘scored’ by Icardi. But Inter tried to up the tempo. In the 59th minute Guarin threatened again, after a lovely pass from Osvaldo allowed him to let rip with an effort that finished inches off target. The action began to resemble a pinball game, and chances were coming at both ends. On 73 minutes Vazquez sent his shot crashing off the crossbar from inside the box. Just minutes later another laser from Guarin had Sorrentino diving to save his side once again.
Palermo, urged on by the passionate Rosanero fans, had Inter under pressure. Belotti saw his shot hit the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed for the preceding foul on Nagatomo. Then came another heart-stopping moment as Sorrentino miraculously managed to keep out Osvaldo’s well-placed header. After four minutes of injury time the game ended, leaving each side with a point. The Nerazzurri’s next stop: the San Siro on Wednesday 24 September to face Atalanta in another league clash.
Palermo 1-1 Inter (HT: 1-1)
Scorers: Vazquez 3, Kovacic 42.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 23 Ranocchia, 15 Vidic, 5 Juan Jesus (Hernanes 65); 33 D’Ambrosio (Dodo 56), 13 Guarin, 18 Medel, 10 Kovacic (Palacio 79), 55 Nagatomo; 7 Osvaldo, 9 Icardi.
Unused subs: 30 Carrizo, 2 Jonathan, 6 Andreolli, 8 Palacio, 14 Campagnaro, 17 Kuzmanovic, 20 Obi, 25 Mbaye, 44 Krhin, 90 M’Vila.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.
Palermo: 70 Sorrentino; 4 Anderlkovic, 19 Terzi, 23 Feddal; 89 Morganella, 15 Bolzoni (Belotti 65), 27 Rigoni, 8 Barreto, 7 Lazaar (Drapelà 73); 20 Vazquez (Quaison 83), 9 Dybala.
Unused subs: 1 Ujkani, 2 Vitiello, 3 Pisano, 10 Pereira, 11 Christoffersen, 13 Palmieri Dos Santos, 17 Ngoyi, 18 Chochev, 22 Bamba.
Coach: Giuseppe Iachini.
Booked: Juan Jesus 33, Medel 36, Rigoni 44, Morganella 48, Ranocchia 80, Dodo 91.
Sent off: Iachini 88.
Added time: 1+4 minutes.
Referee: Valeri.
Assistants: Posado, Marrazzo.
Additional assistants: Mazzoleni, Cervellera.
4th official: Passeri.
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