A Denzel Dumfries strike proved enough for Inter to see off Torino and consolidate first place, keeping it tight at the back.
The Nerazzurri already knew they were Winter Champions even before this final game of 2021 and the first half of the season. Nicolò Barella was suspended and Joaquin Correa injured, so Arturo Vidal got his first Serie A start of the campaign. Toro were still missing Andrea Belotti and Simone Verdi, but Dennis Praet returned after a thigh problem.
It was a strong start from the visitors, Marko Pjaca drilling just wide from the edge of the box, while Inter penalty appeals were rejected, as it hit Wilfried Singo on the leg first.
Alessandro Bastoni found himself with two big chances in a couple of minutes, the first when he sprung the offside trap, the second Vanja Milinkovic-Savic using a foot to parry the volley from the edge of the box.
Although Toro were very aggressive and kept the initiative for much of the first half, they were caught on a classic counter-attack when giving the ball away in midfield. Edin Dzeko found Denzel Dumfries with the aid of a Marcelo Brozovic dummy, the Dutchman drilling through a sea of legs.
Lautaro Martinez managed to get around Milinkovic-Savic on a Hakan Calhanoglu assist, but then couldn’t steer the shot on target from a tight angle.
Calhanoglu was booked for blocking a shot with a raised arm just outside the penalty area and Bastoni risked an own goal with a strange clearance.
Alexis Sanchez almost got his third goal in as many games, this time his strike clipping the outside of the upright on a Stefano Sensi assist.
Inter 1-0 Torino
Dumfries 30 (I)