Inter move to the top of Serie A after a 6-2 victory over Crotone, thanks to a hat-trick from Martinez, an own goal and strikes from Lukaku and Hakimi. It was 2-2 at the break and could have gone either way, but Inter started the second period well and after Martinez had made it 3-2, they didn't look back and went on to score three more to secure a comfortable win.
Inter will now hope to see Milan drop some points later on, as they are two points ahead of their rivals in the table after this win. Next up for Conte's side is a trip to Sampdoria. Meanwhile, Crotone remain second from bottom, with just nine points and they face Roma next time out.
That's all from us today folks, we hope you enjoyed the game!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
Dirette
90'
FULL-TIME: INTER 6-2 CROTONE14:21
89'
Inter have won their last four Serie A home games; they last won five in a row in a single campaign in December 2018 under Luciano Spalletti (seven).14:20
87'
Darmian could have passed to Martinez, but instead he spotted the run of Hakimi on the right who was racing forward and he picked him out perfectly.14:31
87'
GOOOAAALLL! Hakimi with a goal, to make it 6-2! Another quick counter by the hosts, with Darmian sprinting into the penalty area down the left wing and he pulls the ball back to Hakimi on the edge of the box, who curls it into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. Lovely finish.
Messias also heads off the pitch and he has been replaced by Rojas.20:02
85'
Another Crotone change sees Molina replaced by Vulic.14:17
85'
Triple substitution now by the visitors, one of which sees Golemic head off the pitch and he has been replaced by Djidji.14:16
83'
Inter seem happy to allow their opponents the ball in the middle of the pitch at the moment, just sitting back and keeping their shape so they are unable to get into their final third.14:15
81'
Another Inter substitution now, with Bastoni heading off the pitch and he has been replaced by Kolarov.14:12
80'
This second half has been one-way traffic for the most part, with Inter now comfortably seeing the game out as the visitors just haven’t had the same kind of threat in front of goal this half.14:30
78'
GOOOAAALLL! Martinez has his hat-trick and makes it 5-2! Perisic drills a powerful effort towards the near post, which forces Cordaz into making a good save. However, the keeper can only parry the ball straight into the path of Martinez, who heads it into the far corner of the net.
Martinez is now the main striker up top for Inter, which will be a different test for the Crotone defenders, who have struggled to deal with the strength of Lukaku today.14:08
75'
The other change sees Young replaced by Darmian.14:06
75'
Double Inter substitution here, with Lukaku the first to come off after he signalled to the bench that he had picked up a little knock. Perisic is his replacement.14:06
74'
The pace of the game has dropped a lot in the last five minutes or so, with the urgency gone from Inter and Crotone look short of ideas in attack when they do manage to get on the ball.14:05
72'
This is Lukaku’s 50th Serie A appearance. Only five players have scored more goals than the Inter’s striker (34) in their first 50 games played in the competition in the three points for a win era: Cristiano Ronaldo (40), Ronaldo (38), Andriy Shevchenko (37), Diego Milito (37) and Vincenzo Montella (36).14:02
70'
Inter have also made a substitution of their own, with Barella replaced by Gagliardini.14:01
70'
Another Crotone change now, with Luperto the man coming off and he has been replaced by Magallan.14:01
68'
Decent chance! Hakimi again getting into a good position, but his final ball through to Martinez in the box just has too much on it and it goes out of play. Any touch on that by the striker and it might have been heading in.14:00
66'
Inter seem content to slow the game down now and make Crotone do all of the running now they have their two-goal lead.14:29
64'
There didn't seem to be an awful lot on for Bastoni, but he managed to spot the run of Lukaku, who did brilliantly to hold off Luperto and fire past Cordaz.13:57
64'
GOOOAAALLL! Lukaku with the goal to make it 4-2! Bastoni with a long ball over the top of the Crotone defence and Lukaku uses his strength to beat Luperto and hold him off, turns and then slides his shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
Crotone make their first substitution of the game, with Riviere the man coming off and he has been replaced by Simy.20:02
61'
Good move! Hakimi does really well down the right wing, sprinting forward towards the edge of the penalty area and he whips a good ball into the box, but Martinez just can't reach it in time at the far post and it goes out of play.13:53
59'
Martinez is now on course for his hat-trick and Inter will want to extend their lead sooner rather than later to give themselves some breathing space.13:52
57'
Brozovic could have gone for goal himself from the edge of the penalty area, but Martinez was in a better position and he coolly finished to fire Inter in front.13:50
57'
GOOOAAALLL! Martinez has his second goal and he puts Inter ahead, it’s 3-2! Lukaku with a lovely back heel on the edge of the box to Brozovic, who then flicks it to Martinez on the overlap who sneaks past the Crotone defenders and slides the ball into the back of the net.
Inter are unbeaten at home against Crotone in Serie A, thanks to a win in 2016 and a draw in 2018.13:48
54'
Penalty shout! Crotone appeal for another penalty after a ball is delivered into the penalty area and it bounces around dangerously, with Brozovic getting back to block a shot, but it strikes his arm by accident. However, there was nothing he could do about that and his arm was next to his body, so nothing is given by the referee or VAR.14:28
53'
Not too far away! De Vrij rises highest as Brozovic whips a corner into the box and the centre-back rises above his marker and powers it towards the top right-hand corner, but he gets too much on it and it flies over the bar.13:46
52'
As an Inter counter was taking place, the referee allowed played to continue depsite a clear foul by Luperto in the middle of the pitch. After the attack is over, the yellow card is shown.14:27
52'
Excellent Inter counter! Crotone were on the attack at the other end, but they couldn’t get the ball off to someone for a shot at goal and Inter manage to clear and break up the other end of the pitch. They catch the visitors out at the back, with Brozovic playing it out wide and a low cross is drilled into the six-yard box, but it is cleared behind for a corner by Marrone.13:44
50'
Good free-kick opportunity here for Inter after Skriniar is fouled down the right wing and Sensi whips the ball into the penalty area. However, the delivery is too close to Cordaz who comfortably gathers in the air.13:42
48'
It's all Inter at the moment in these opening few minutes of the second half, with Crotone getting everyone back behind the ball to defend and they may try to keep the score at 2-2 for as long as possible.14:26
46'
The second half is under way!13:36
46'
Inter have made a substitution ahead of the second half, with Vidal the man replaced and on comes Sensi.13:36
This game could go either way, with both teams having chances, although the better ones have fallen to Inter, with Martinez superbly denied by Cordaz during the first half.13:29
It's level at the break between Inter and Crotone, an end-to-end first half which has seen four goals. The visitors took a surprise early lead, but Martinez leveled the score just six minutes later, then an own goal from Marrone fired the hosts ahead. However, Vidal then gave away a penalty, which was converted by Golemic to make it 2-2.13:34
45'+1'
HALF-TIME: INTER 2-2 CROTONE13:22
45'
There will be a minimum of one minute added time at the end of the first half.13:19
43'
Inter are unbeaten in their last 10 first league matches of a calendar year played at home (W7 D3): they have never lost such a match in the three points for a win era – their last defeat was back in 1994, against Atalanta.13:16
41'
SAVE! Great chance for Martinez to fire Inter into the lead, after a lovely flick on by Lukaku and the striker only had Cordaz in goal to beat. However, the keeper does brilliantly and makes a great save with his feet to deny him.13:34
40'
There’s not long left to play before half-time now, can either side take the lead again before the half-time whistle?13:14
38'
There has been plenty of action early on here, with both sides looking dangerous in front of goal, you wouldn't have guessed that there is such a difference in the positions of the two sides in the table.13:12
36'
GOOOAAALLL! Golemic converts from the spot kick and makes it 2-2! Handanovic dived the right way, but there was too much pace on the shot and it is fired into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
VAR award the penalty, as the referee had to go and review the footage on the pitch side monitor before awarding it, as there didn't seem to be an awful lot of contact, but enough to make Reca go to ground. Great chance for the visitors to draw level now.13:33
33'
CROTONE PENALTY? Reca goes down under pressure from Hakimi and Vidal, as the midfielder comes in late and seems to catch the Crotone man, who goes down and appeals for a penalty straight away. VAR are going to take a look.13:33
31'
GOOOAAALLL! Inter now lead, it's 2-1! Marrone with an unfortunate own goal to send the hosts ahead. Barella did well down the left to get into the box and he gets to the byline, pulls it back to Martinez, but Marrone gets their first and turns it into the back of his own net.
CHANCE! Young sprints down the left wing and gets in behind the Crotone defence after a long ball over the top and then cuts it back to Martinez, who takes it on the volley, but he fires it wide of goal. He should be doing better from there.13:03
27'
We’re midway through the first half now and it is 1-1 between Inter and Crotone at San Siro, an end-to-end game, with chances for both teams.13:20
25'
Inter are unbeaten in their last 10 first league matches of a calendar year played at home (W7 D3): they have never lost such a match in the three points for a win era – their last defeat was back in 1994, against Atalanta.13:22
22'
Golemic is the next Crotone player to be booked for his challenge on Martínez down the left wing.13:18
19'
Lukaku does well to hold off his marker and then turn and find Martinez, who got on the other side of his marker and was then through on goal and made no mistakes with the finish.20:02
19'
GOOOAAALLL! It's only taken eight minutes for Inter to equalise, it's 1-1! Martinez with the goal to send his side level. His strike partner Lukaku with the assist, as he plays a lovely ball in behind the Crotone defence for him to run onto and Martinez slots it past Cordaz and into the back of the net.
Inter are unbeaten in Serie A against promoted sides since September 2018; since then, they have won 11 and drawn two such games.13:17
14'
Crotone have frustrated Inter a lot so far, keeping them away from the ball and keeping it nicely in midfield. However, will they now try and extend their lead, or sit back and invite the pressure?12:50
12'
Messias opted to play the corner short in order to work a better angle for the cross into the box and he picked his team-mate out perfectly.13:05
12'
GOOOAAALLL! Crotone lead, it’s 1-0! The visitors take a corner short, with Messias playing it short, he then receives it back and whips a lovely ball into the penalty area, which is met by the head of Zanellato and he puts it in the back of the net, to fire his side ahead. Poor defending from Inter.
CHANCE! Pereira manages to get in behind Young down the right after a lovely ball over the top of the Inter defence. However, the Crotone mans touch is poor and it allows Handanovic time to get to him and make an excellent block, just before Pereira could get a shot away.13:30
11'
Blocked! Crotone with the first chance of the game after Messias finds space on the edge of the box and he managed to get a shot away that was heading on target, but an Inter defender gets across and makes a superb block.13:04
8'
The first yellow card of the game is shown to Reca after he pulls the shirt of Hakimi as he looked to break forward quickly and he stops him in his tracks.12:41
7'
Crotone have looked comfortable on the ball when they've been in possession, forcing Inter to sit deep and soak up the pressure. However, there hasn't been anything in the final third so far.12:43
5'
There is a big difference in the two teams fortunes in Serie A so far this season, with Inter battling for the title at the top and Crotone are looking to avoid relegation straight back to Serie B.12:40
3'
Inter with the early possession here, they are keeping the ball nicely in midfield and are trying to find Lukaku and Martinez in the final third early on.13:29
1'
We're under way!12:32
The teams are out on the pitch and kick-off is just a few minutes away, stay tuned for all the match action!12:28
Meanwhile Crotone have made two changes to their starting line-up, with Marrone and Henrique coming into the team, replacing Cuomo and Vulic.12:22
Antonio Conte has made just one change to his Inter starting XI, with Perisic dropping to the bench and he has been replaced in midfield by Vidal.12:19
CROTONE SUBS: Marco Festa, Lisandro Magallan, Jacopo Petriccione, Simy, Luca Siligardi, Luis Rojas, Denis Dragus, Giuseppe Cuomo, Giovanni Crociata, Andrea Rispoli, Milos Vulic, Koffi Djidji.12:15
CROTONE (3-5-2): Alex Cordaz; Luca Marrone, Vladimir Golemic, Sebastiano Luperto; Pedro Pereira, Salvatore Molina, Niccolo Zanellato, Eduardo Henrique, Arkadiusz Reca; Emmanuel Riviere, Junior Messias.12:15
INTER SUBS: Daniele Padelli, Ionut Radu, Roberto Gagliardini, Alexis Sanchez, Aleksandar Kolarov, Stefano Sensi, Andrea Ranocchia, Ivan Perisic, Christian Eriksen, Danilo D'Ambrosio, Matteo Darmian.12:10
INTER (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Achraf Hakimi, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Arturo Vidal, Ashley Young; Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez.12:10
Meanwhile Crotone are at the other end of the table, second from bottom as they have won just two games so far this season. However, they did end 2020 on a high, after beating Parma 2-1 last time out.12:05
Inter could move to the top of Serie A with a victory, as rivals Milan who are currently one point ahead of them don’t play until later today. Inter had been in fine form before the Christmas break, winning their last seven league games, their last being a 2-1 success over Verona.12:00
Hello and welcome to our LIVE match commentary of the Serie A clash between Inter and Crotone at San Siro.11:55
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza Città: Milano Capienza: 80074 spettatori11:55
Inter - Crotone is a match of 15 day of the season Serie A 2020/2021. The match will be 3 january at 15:00 in the stadium Giuseppe Meazza in Milano. Referee of Inter - Crotone will be Gianluca Aureliano with the help of Dario Cecconi e Andrea Zingarelli. At VAR there will be Michael Fabbri.
Currently Inter is 2° in the standings with 36 points (thanks of 11 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat); while Crotone is 20° in the standings with 9 points (thanks of 2 wins, 3 pareggi and 10 sconfitte). Inter scored 40 goals and conceded 19; Crotone scored 15 goals and conceded 35.
At home Inter scored 19 points (6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss). Away Crotone scored 2 points (0 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses). Inter in the last three matches of the season challenged Spezia, Verona and Crotone obtaining 9 points thanks to 3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses. Crotone in the last three matches of the season challenged Udinese, Sampdoria and Parm obtaining 4 points thanks to 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. In the last match Inter was against Crotone winning 6-2 while Crotone was against Parma winning 2-1.
Inter and Crotone competed 4 times in the league. In the previous matches Inter won 2 times, Crotone won 1 time while the number of draw is only one.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Inter-Crotone You can see the live match Inter-Crotone here on Virgilio Sport starting 15:00 CET of 3 january. Discover who will broadcast live Inter - Crotone between Sky and Dazn.
