Samir Handanovic saved a penalty and Inter had taken the lead, but Southampton ruined caretaker Coach Stefano Vecchi’s debut with a comeback.
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Samir Handanovic saved a penalty and Inter had taken the lead, but Southampton ruined caretaker Coach Stefano Vecchi’s debut with a comeback.
Follow all the action from the Italian Europa League competitors on the LIVEBLOG.
The Nerazzurri fired Frank de Boer this week after losing half his 14 competitive games in charge, handing the reins to Primavera youth team boss Stefano Vecchi as caretaker. He changed to a 4-4-1-1 system with Ever Banega supporting Icardi, though the wingers still had the opportunity to surge forward in possession. Geoffrey Kondogbia, Gabriel Barbosa and Joao Mario are ineligible for this tournament.
Antonio Candreva’s volley had given Inter their only Europa League victory of the season so far, beating an impressive Southampton at San Siro two weeks ago.
Icardi’s smart through ball found Banega in the opening minutes, but he hesitated and then went down far too easily.
Jay Rodriguez curled one just over the bar and another effort was straight at Samir Handanovic, but Nathan Redmond went closer when he flashed a shot across the face of goal after getting down the left.
Inter took the lead somewhat against the run of play, although it was a more even match than many had expected in the circumstances.
Candreva burst down the right and pulled back from the by-line for Ivan Perisic, whose shot was charged down from point-blank range by Cuco Martina, but Icardi did well to volley in the rebound from an awkward angle.
Southampton reacted, the Oriol Romeu shot deflected off Gary Medel to loop out for a corner, but just before half-time a very soft penalty was awarded to the hosts for a Perisic handball offence. There was controversy when the referee was discussing the matter with his assistants, because Sam McQueen picked up the ball and put it on the spot, elbowed in the side of the head by Candreva. The Italian was very fortunate to only receive a yellow card.
When Dusan Tadic did step up, his penalty was parried by Samir Handanovic’s knee, as the goalkeeper confirmed his extraordinary record on spot-kicks. It was the 35th penalty save of the Slovenian’s career.
Straight after the restart, Handanovic smothered a James Ward-Prowse volley after Andrea Ranocchia defensive error, then the goalkeeper performed a double save on the Ward-Prowse screamer and Virgil van Dijk follow-up.
Handanovic continued the heroics by flying to palm a Van Dijk header over the bar, but could do nothing on the equaliser. A Romeo strike was deflected to bounce off the bar and Van Dijk anticipated Andrea Ranocchia to turn in the rebound.
Inter, as has happened so often, lost their heads and went behind moments later. A Tadic cross from the left was deflected off Danilo D’Ambrosio and then bounced off Yuto Nagatomo into the net for a comical own goal to turn the game around.
Ironically, Inter have conceded the first goal in almost every game this season. Recently they took the lead twice, against Cagliari and Southampton, only to eventually lose.
Redmond’s glancing header was wide from a corner, but Icardi did get a chance to draw level with his ferocious shot from distance beaten away by Fraser Forster. That was the first save Forster had made over the two legs.
Handanovic smothered at Charlie Austin’s feet, though he was offside anyway.
Southampton 2-1 Inter
Icardi 33 (I), Van Dijk 64 (S), Nagatomo og 70 (S)
Southampton: Forster; Martina, Yoshida, Van Dijk, McQueen; Davis, Romeu, Ward-Prowse; Hojbjerg, Redmond, Tadic (Davis 77); Rodriguez (Austin 59)
Inter: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Ranocchia, Miranda, Nagatomo; Candreva (Biabiany 88), Gnoukouri, Medel (Eder 74), Perisic; Banega; Icardi
Ref: Gil (POL)
Saved penalty: Tadic 45 (S)