Achraf Hakimi's brace is the headline at San Siro as Inter emerge winners against a frustrated Bologna. The visitors held more ball throughout but saw Emanuel Vignato's response cancelled out emphatically to leave empty-handed. Full-time, it finishes Inter 3-1 Bologna.
That tam o' shanter brought no joy for Sinisa Mihajlovic on a rainy night in Milan in the end. He'll have a lot to chew on in a game where, statistically, his side were the superior outfit.
Antonio Conte though will be delighted. Victory means his side now sit second, ahead of Juventus and just behind rivals Milan. The title race is well and truly on in Serie A.
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
There's little rest for Inter now though who head to the Champions League in midweek for a crunch clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. Bologna meanwhile prepare to face Roma next weekend. Until then, thank you for joining us - and have a good weekend!22:45
90'+4'
FULL-TIME: INTER 3-1 BOLOGNA22:39
90'+3'
Skriniar concedes a free-kick near the right edge of his own box and Vignato, tasked with the set-piece, sends it screaming into the stands. That may be the last chance of the game.22:38
90'+1'
Inter eat up the minutes with another late change, replacing Sanchez with Christian Eriksen.22:36
90'
There will be three added minutes at San Siro, as Soriano races onto a corner and smashes his finish into the side netting.22:36
89'
They can't. D'Ambrosio is the Inter man to get his body in the thick of the danger zone and muscle the ball away from the lurking threat of Bologna's attack.22:34
87'
Into the final few minutes before injury time and now Bologna have a free-kick 30 yards out on the right wing. They couldn't, could they?22:33
85'
Soriano looks to be away on a dangerous break for Bologna, only to be pulled back for a foul in play on Brozovic near the halfway line. A rough call against the visitors, perhaps.22:32
83'
Inter make their latest swap, taking off Bastoni for Danilo D'Ambrosio.22:29
81'
These final minutes aren't shaping up with the feel of a livewire twist finale, but Bologna would feel like a second goal would be just rewards for today. The scoreline hurts them in their eyes.22:27
79'
The visitors also bring off Palacio and send on Edoardo Vergani.22:25
79'
Bologna make further changes as Barrow is replaced by Simone Rabbi.22:24
78'
The visitors now prod another effort into the box, forcing a smooth stop from Handanovic, who certainly feels like he has had less to do than his opposite number.22:24
76'
Sanchez looks to batter the set-piece in and only finds the wall, before a follow-up corner is steered away by the visitors. Inter fancy a fourth if they can find it.22:21
74'
The rain is still pouring down in Milan and Danilo gives away a free-kick on the edge of the Bologna box for a tug. Free-kick specialist territory here for Inter.22:20
73'
It's funny how the numbers can tell a different story to the scoreboard, isn't it? Bologna will look back at this match and just wonder if it wasn't their day. They've not been poor by a long shot.22:22
71'
With a brace to his name, Hakimi has played his part too, with Matteo Darmian brought on by Inter for the final stretch.22:18
71'
It is Vidal's last contribution too as Nicolo Barella arrives for the hosts.22:17
71'
A cavalcade of changes now for Inter with that goal, as Lukaku makes way for Lautaro Martinez.22:17
69'
GOAL! ACHRAF HAKIMI BAGS A BRACE! 3-1! An immediate response from Inter - and what a response! It's a daring solo run from the wing-back, in off the right flank from halfway, all the way to the edge of the box before cracking a finish past Skorupski. Superb!
Vidal lays that delivery up in midfield and Hakimi just goes, roaring down the wing. Inter snuff that Bologna hope out with brutal skill.07:56
67'
He may lead the goal charts for Bologna, but Soriano isn't half bad with an assist either. He could have tried himself but that pass practically assured a response for the visitors.22:14
67'
GOAL! EMANUEL VIGNATO PULLS ONE BACK FOR BOLOGNA! 2-1! They won't get more simple than that for the substitute. Bologna bring a delivery back to earth inside the Inter box, square it from left to right and the 20-year-old is there to poke home. Game on.
Having seen Hickey get booked for fouling him before, Hakimi now is flashed the yellow card for a muddy challenge of his own.22:11
65'
A free-kick and a subsequent corner allow Bologna to mount some further pressure upon Inter's defensive line - but they fail to pull the trigger again and the hosts whip play back to halfway.22:10
63'
Nicolas Dominguez.has also been brought on by the visitors to replace Medel.22:17
63'
It is also the end of Hickey's game, as the former Hearts man is replaced by Omari Khailoti.22:09
63'
It is Bologna who have blinked first and made some changes, as Svanberg is replaced by Emanuel Vignato.22:08
61'
Skorupski with the tackle! The keeper executes a sensational sliding challenge on Lukaku near the edge of his box and comes away with both ball and no card to his name. That was close.22:06
59'
Inter have still had less ball than their visitors in this match. They've had a worse pass completion rate too, remarkably. Yet they look to be heading for three points with few problems.22:07
57'
Bologna launch a pacy counter of their own and earn a corner for their efforts - but the delivery smacks straight into the defending Brozovic who punts it away to safety.22:02
56'
Sanchez! The Chilean - the quieter of Inter's two strikers today - embarks on a barnstorming break and fires a tame finish to Skorupski. That arguably should have been 3-0.22:01
53'
Hickey has a tug on Hakimi now as the pair chase a loose ball and, though the latter stands his ground, the referee still deems it worthy of a yellow card.02:50
52'
There's been no changes at the break today but it will be interesting to see who blinks first. Bologna really have to go on the offensive if they hope to salvage something.22:11
50'
The hosts play the set-piece short and cut it back before curling a delivery in. It brushes off two heads and tumbles safely into Skorupski's gloves.21:55
48'
Hickey has to cut back fast to swing a ball away from Lukaku as the Belgian hounds after a deep delivery on the flank. Corner to Inter.21:55
46'
We're back underway for the second half at San Siro. What do Bologna have up their sleeve - or under that tam o' shanter - to turn this around? Or are Inter home and dry?21:51
Antonio Conte will be pleased with the mostly clinical operation his side has put into practice. Sinisa Mihajlovic and his tam o' shanter know that there is work to be done from here to salvage a result.21:38
Romelu Lukaku's early strike put Inter on the front foot at San Siro - and Achraf Hakimi's half-time whistle finish might have sealed the deal. Bologna have impressed - but they face a tall order from here. At the break, it's Inter 2-0 Bologna.21:43
45'+1'
HALF-TIME: INTER 2-0 BOLOGNA21:35
45'
Brozovic skims that ball deep with a glorious arc to it. Bologna will feel disheartened that they did not shut the danger down there. They have a mountain to climb from here.21:35
45'
GOAL! ACHRAF HAKIMI DOUBLES INTER'S LEAD! 2-0! It's a lovely finish from the wing-back, bringing Brozovic's deep pass to earth on the edge of the box and slotting it neatly past Skorupski at the left post. Is that the knockout blow?
Both sides push each other around midfield now as the minutes tick down towards the break. There likely won't be much added time for this first half.21:32
41'
A fresh corner for Inter sails in now and Skorupski makes a fine diving save to sweep the delivery into his arms. The keeper has been impressive so far today.21:30
39'
Bologna now pile bodies into the Inter box as they themselves turn the high press used against them to effective use. They lack a killer finish though and the hosts dig themselves out of trouble.21:29
37'
Barrow flies after a long delivery down the left wing but can't pull it back. Mihajlovic - who is sporting a tam o' shanter for some reason - shakes his head in dismay on the sidelines.21:28
35'
What a break by Inter! They defend the set-piece and fly out of the blocks. Lukaku latches onto the ball and Skorupski does superbly to deflect his close finish. The hosts lob a follow-up over the bar.21:24
33'
Soriano gets shoved to the turf in a clumsy challenge by Gagliardini and Bologna have a free-kick out on the right flank, some distance from goal.21:22
31'
Both sides have notched four shots in total though, per the statistics - and Bologna have actually had 54 per cent of possession too. This hangs nicely in the balance.21:21
29'
The lion's share of chances are with Inter so far but this isn't a particularly lopsided affair. A second goal for the hosts would change the complexion of this game entirely though.21:19
27'
The weather is frightful today in Milan, the rain beating a steady rhythm on the turf. It could become quite slippy underfoot, this one.21:15
25'
Gagliardini rises in the Bologna box now to meet a teasing delivery and duly smashes a header over the woodwork, putting it well into the stands behind.21:15
23'
Skorupski has to go scrambling off his line following a dangerous throughball that Lukaku and Sanchez both hound after, coming close to securing a potential tap-in.21:13
22'
Palacio might be in for a rough game, as he is felled again. Inter seem to have singled him out as the proverbial engine room of Bologna's attack today.21:13
20'
Barrow certainly isn't shy of an attempt. The Gambia star fires an effort in from well outside the box, arcing it towards Handanovic who has it safely covered.21:10
18'
Just as it was five months ago, Lukaku has opened Inter's account for the day and now it is down to the visitors to respond. Last time, they found two late goals - but can they do so again here?21:08
16'
Only moments after that chance for Barrow, it is a blistering move to cut Bologna open. Perisic is the man who gets the ball from that wide delivery, before cutting it back in for Lukaku from the right edge of the box. Smart stuff from Inter.21:07
16'
GOAL! ROMELU LUKAKU HANDS INTER THE LEAD! 1-0! Lovely work from the hosts as a fast counter down the wing sees the Belgian found in the box. Danilo tries to head his powerful shot away, to no avail; it might almost be an own-goal as it rockets into the net.
Double chance for Bologna! A free-kick comes their way 30 yards out and when that fails to trouble the defence, Barrow cuts through to fire a low shot in to Handanovic.21:07
13'
Skorupski is fast off his line to claim the set-piece delivery this time with a clean pair of gloves. He might need a stellar game to help his side avoid an uphill battle at San Siro.21:02
12'
Gagliardini! The midfielder should have done better there, close to the penalty spot as a cut-back delivery finds him. He skews it wide, albeit with a deflection and under pressure to boot.21:01
10'
Save by Skorupski! The first corner of the game falls for Inter and a direct header off the delivery forces a fast punch away to clear from the keeper. Dangerous territory for Bologna.20:58
8'
Palacio gets caught with a crunch of a challenge heading for a misplaced ball and Inter concede the free-kick inside their half. They lean on the visitors again and force them back deep.20:56
6'
Having weathered those first few minutes, it is Bologna who build a spell of possession. A loose cross goes straight to Handanovic however and Inter resume their wide press.20:55
5'
Bastoni of course didn't make it to the end of these two's last encounter, in a match that saw 28 fouls and a red card apiece to end the game with 10 men each. He could be key today.20:53
3'
It's the hosts holding court in these early exchanges, pressing high into the final third. A half-counter for Bologna forces Bastoni into a foul and the free-kick relieves early pressure.20:52
1'
We are underway in this Serie A clash between Inter and Bologna!20:47
The teams are poised to emerge at San Siro and we're moments away from kick-off.20:41
Barella meanwhile is on the bench for the hosts. With four assists this season, he leads the club's totals - but it is his vast passing numbers, with 700 this term, that may be missed most.20:38
Barrow might have been the matchwinner last time out in the summer but it is Soriano who Inter will be most wary of; he leads the club's goal tally for Serie A this season with five to his name.20:41
BOLOGNA (3-5-2): Lukasz Skorupski; Danilo, Gary Medel, Takehiro Tomiyasu; Lorenzo De Silvestri, Jerdy Schouten, Mattias Svanberg, Roberto Soriano, Aaron Hickey; Rodrigo Palacio, Musa Barrow.20:27
Subs: Lautaro Martinez, Stefano Sensi, Andrea Ranocchia, Ashley Young, Nicolo Barella, Christian Eriksen, Daniele Padelli, Danilo D'Ambrosio, Filip Stankovic, Matteo Darmian.20:27
INTER (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Achraf Hakimi, Arturo Vidal, Marcelo Brozovic, Roberto Gagliardini, Ivan Perisic; Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez.20:26
The visitors though will have to make do without captain Andrea Poli, who is not yet fully returned from injury despite hopes he could potentially feature for this crunch clash.20:26
The hosts will be keen to see if their superior firepower can deliver the results today though. Ex-Manchester United duo Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez get the nod up front.20:25
Sinisa Mihajlovic will hope for a repeat result from this same fixture last season though, when Musa Barrow netted late to secure a 2-1 win. His visitors will take heart in chasing three points.20:20
Antonio Conte's side have made it two wins in two across all competitions since their Champions League loss to Real Madrid but will be on their guard for a potential banana-skin game today.20:18
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2020-21 Serie A season as Inter look to keep up their pursuit of the summit against a tenacious Bologna at San Siro.20:15
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza Città: Milano Capienza: 80074 spettatori20:15
Inter - Bologna is a match of 10 day of the season Serie A 2020/2021. The match will be 5 december at 15:00 in the stadium Giuseppe Meazza in Milano. Referee of Inter - Bologna will be Paolo Valeri with the help of Fabiano Preti e Marco Bresmes. At VAR there will be Massimiliano Irrati.
Currently Inter is 2° in the standings with 21 points (thanks of 6 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat); while Bologna is 10° in the standings with 12 points (thanks of 4 wins, 0 pareggi and 6 sconfitte). Inter scored 26 goals and conceded 14; Bologna scored 15 goals and conceded 17.
At home Inter scored 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss). Away Bologna scored 3 points (1 win, 0 draws and 3 losses). Inter in the last three matches of the season challenged Torino, Sassuolo and Bolog obtaining 9 points thanks to 3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses. Bologna in the last three matches of the season challenged Napoli, Sampdoria and Crotone obtaining 6 points thanks to 2 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss. In the last match Inter was against Bologna winning 3-1 while Bologna was against Crotone winning 1-0.
Inter and Bologna competed 146 times in the league. In the previous matches Inter won 70 times, Bologna won 41 times while the number of draw was 35.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Inter-Bologna You can see the live match Inter-Bologna here on Virgilio Sport starting 15:00 CET of 5 december. Discover who will broadcast live Inter - Bologna between Sky and Dazn.
