MY ACCOUNT
Antonio Candreva scored a freak late equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw for Salernitana and punish the profligacy of his former club Inter at Stadio Arechi on Friday.
Inter were on course to end a dismal five-match winless run, but Candreva’s dramatic leveller ensured the wasteful visitors’ slump continued.
Simone Inzaghi’s side took the lead with first goal from open play since March 5 as they netted early on through Robin Gosens.
Inter should have added several more as they created a host of chances and hit the frame of the goal twice, before Salernitana stunned them in the 90th minute when Candreva’s cross found the back of the net.
Inter had held the lead since the sixth minute, when Gosens clinically found the top-left corner from the edge of the box after Romelu Lukaku’s flick-on deceived the Salernitana defence.
A second could have arrived soon after, but Gosens made a mess of a straightforward pass into the six-yard box for the lurking Lukaku.
Denzel Dumfries provided a better delivery from the opposite flank on the stroke of half-time, only for Lukaku’s towering header to be kept out by Guillermo Ochoa’s knee.
Inter went even closer at the start of the second half, Nicolo Barella striking the left post from 20 yards out.
Ochoa then kept Salernitana in the contest again just past the hour, acrobatically denying Stefan de Vrij from close range after Lukaku’s diving header inexplicably hit the crossbar.
Boulaye Dia volleyed against the bar at the other end as Salernitana scented a late leveller.
That duly came when Candreva’s cross from deep on the right looped over Andre Onana to salvage an unlikely point.
What does it mean? Inter just cannot help themselves
It has been a difficult few weeks for the Nerazzurri, who have not won since March 5.
Everything about this match suggested that barren run was coming to a fairly convincing end, but as has been the case for a while now, scoring goals proved to be problematic.
Inter created a host of chances but were either wasteful or denied by the seemingly ageless Mexican veteran Ochoa in the Salernitana net, meaning Roma and Atalanta could knock Inzaghi’s side out of the top four this weekend.
Ochoa rolls back the years
Mercilessly booed and jeered by Mexico fans during the recent international break, Ochoa emphatically proved his enduring quality here.
The 37-year-old made 10 saves, the most he has ever made in a match in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Without his heroics, Candreva’s late goal would have been a mere consolation.
Lukaku busy but not clinical
Belgium striker Lukaku has had a poor season but he looked quite sharp in this match, managing five shots and getting three on target.
Unfortunately for Inter, Ochoa came out on top in their duel.
What’s next?
Inter now turn their attention to the Champions League, facing Benfica at Estadio da Luz on Tuesday.
