Stevan Jovetic netted a brace as Inter Milan managed to come back from behind to beat Udinese 3-1 at San Siro on Saturday. The game was notable as neither team fielded an Italian player, the first time that has ever happened in Serie A history. This did not stop it being an entertaining affair, which also showed Inter are not out of the race for the Champions League.
Inter boss Roberto Mancini told Mediaset Premium after the game that, like in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Genoa, his team should have finished off the game earlier, but overall it was a good performance. With Roma taking on Napoli on Monday there is now a slim possibility that Inter can go into the final three games only four points behind the Giallorossi.
The fact that Eder managed to net his first goal and Stevan Jovetic scored for the first time since Inter last faced Udinese on Dec. 12, will give Mancini hope as they move in to the final games. He has often critiqued his team for lacking options when Mauro Icardi stops scoring.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Samir Handanovic, 7 -- Inter's goalkeeper was left rooted for the early Udinese goal, but the nature of Cyril Thereau's strike perhaps wrong-footed the Inter No. 1. The Slovenian then produced a superlative save early in the second half keeping his team level in the game.
DF Yuto Nagatomo, 5 -- The Japanese full-back saw a lot of the ball in the first half but his crossing was terrible. The frustration is not about his effort nor his positioning, but his inability to play the final ball. Once again on Saturday he showed he did not have the quality to supply.
DF Jeison Murillo, 7 -- The Colombian held the line well and had a very good first half. He was solid throughout and his passing was exceptional. He always plays better next to Joao Miranda and seems to be learning a lot this season.
DF Joao Miranda, 6 -- The Nerazzurri centre-back seemed to be holding the back four in position as well as Tony Adams used to do at Arsenal. Despite his near perfect start, he was picked apart by Thereau as he stole a yard and finished well for the opener. Had one error during the whole game, but it was costly.
DF Juan Jesus, 6 -- It is a credit to his abilities that the Brazilian is equally adept to full-back as he is centre-back. For the Nerazzurri system to work, however, he needs to offer more offensively, but he did do his defensive duties well.
MF Felipe Melo, 6 -- The Brazilian kept his calm and distributed the ball well. All in all he had a solid game without any of the rash and impulsive behaviour he often displays.
MF Geoffrey Kondogbia, 6 -- The Frenchman looked like the only man in the midfield who was up for the challenge in the early moments. He broke up the Zebrette's early play, driving forward after profiting from his rewards. He let up in the second half but had a solid game overall.
MF Marcelo Brozovic, 6 -- The Croatian came alive after Inter conceded the early goal. He was then very aggressive in the second half.
FW Jonathan Biabiany, 5 -- The Frenchman cannot be accused of not working hard as he is always on the move. Tactically, however he lacks discipline and often unintentionally disrupts the balance in the squad. His decision making in the second half proved this on more than one occasion.
FW Stevan Jovetic, 7 -- The Montenegrin got in the right positions but technically looked off the pace in the early stages. He was in the right place at the right time for the opener, however, showing that ever so gradually he is forming a partnership with Icardi. His second goal won the game as he now boasts eight goals in eight games in his career against Udinese.
FW Mauro Icardi 7 -- Like Brozovic, the early goal boosted Il Capitano into action and he worked hard to get the ball, but often came deeper than he should to get it. Icardi managed to provide a superb assist for Inter's opener and looked dangerous every minute afterwards.
Substitutes:
FW Ivan Perisic 6 -- Brought on for Juan Jesus in the 64th minute as Mancini went on the offensive.
FW, Eder NR -- Came on for Icardi on 78 minutes and in the final minutes scored his first ever goal for the Nerazzurri.
DF Danilo D'Ambrosio, NR -- Subbed on for Biabiany with four minutes to go.