Inter were denied the chance to break the all-time Serie A points record with their 2-2 draw with Cagliari on Sunday evening, but there were still a handful of solid performances from the Nerazzurri and from Claudio Ranieri’s side. Check out the player ratings:
Inter
Sommer 7 – Unable to do too much to prevent either of Cagliari’s two strikes, and was exactly where he needed to be to prevent a loss when Lapadula and Viola broke in injury time.
Bisseck 6 – Very comfortable on the ball, but occasionally caught in the wrong position in transition.
Acerbi 5.5 – Was beaten by Lapadula, who, in turn, was able to knock down for Viola for Cagliari’s second equaliser on the night. Potentially could have done more to prevent the danger.
Bastoni 6.5 – Pushed quite far up on the Inter left flank in possession to allow Dimarco to act as a de-facto winger, not always the first-choice to receive the ball, but always comfortable when he did. (Buchanan 6)
Darmian 7.5 – Contributed well to the attacking play from the wing-back position and forced an important save from Scuffet with his venomous effort early on. Also involved in Inter’s opener. (Dumfries 5)
Barella 6.5 – Unfortunately ruled offside after a cheeky header over Scuffet, but overall, another buzzing, all-action display from Inter and Italy’s channel-running chief.
Calhanoglu 7.5 – Another controlling performance from the base of Inter’s midfield and made no mistake from the penalty spot to restore the Nerazzurri lead under significant pressure.
Mkhitaryan 6.5 – Reliable as ever, but was at risk of suspension for the all-important Derby della Madonnina next week, and was replaced on precautionary grounds by Frattesi after an hour. (Frattesi 6)
Dimarco 6 – Not able to create too many chances, despite being pushed all the way up the Inter left flank in possession. Allowed Luvumbo in behind on a few occasions in the first half. (Augusto 5)
Thuram 8 – Missed his regular strike partner and the Serie A leading goalscorer, Lautaro MAartinez, but did a decent job at leading the line for the Nerazzurri and showed good anticipation to tuck away Alexis Sanchez’s low cross after 11 minutes.
Alexis Sanchez 7 – Lots of decent movement and creative play to support Thuram. Laid the ball on a plate for his strike partner to open the scoring after 11 minutes. Almost put Inter back ahead moments after Shomurodov’s equaliser. (Arnautovic 5)
Cagliari
Scuffet 6 – Got a hand to Calhanoglu’s penalty, but not enough to stop the former Milan midfielder’s 100% record from the spot for the Nerazzurri. Otherwise, a respectable performance despite conceding twice.
Di Pardo 6 – Did well to keep Dimarco at bay on Inter’s left, as did his replacement with Buchanan in the final moments. (Zappa 6)
Hatzidiakos 6 – A touchy skay early on, as was to be expected against the Serie A leaders, even with the absence of Lautaro Martinez. (Wieteska N/A)
Mina 5 – Made the wrong call in trying to play Alexis Sanchez offside for Inter’s opener. Was then unable to get across to make the challenge that could have stopped the Chilean’s cross. Also unsuccessfully tried to rustle a few feathers after giving away the penalty which led to Calhanoglu’s goal.
Obert 6.5 – Really useful when stepping out from the back five and into the midfield, but lost Barella and was on the fortunate side of an offside call when the Inter midfielder had the ball in the back of the net in the first half.
Augello 6 – Looked encouraging moving forwards and was able to contribute in some of Cagliari’s better attacking play in both halves.
Luvumbo 7 – Exploited the space between Dimarco and Bastoni on Inter’s left and got a few interesting, although ultimately unsuccessful shots and crosses away. (Viola 7.5)
Sulemana 6 – Played an important part of Cagliari’s pressing, but was unable to create too many chances of his own from the middle of the park.
Makoumbou 6 – Covered plenty of ground and made some helpful runs when Cagliari were in possession.
Jankto N/A – Subbed off before the half-hour mark and replaced by Prati, which brought a slight reshuffle of the Cagliari line-up. (Prati 6)
Shomurodov 6.5 – Should have capitalised better from his first-half chances, particularly in the 25th minute, but did considerably better to equalise with a similar opportunity in the 63rd, this time powering past Sommer and into the bottom corner. (Lapadula 7)