Simone Inzaghi opted to gamble – and lost! Making numerous changes in the starting 11 with the idea of saving crucial players for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Manchester City cost Inter two points. Monza played patiently, waited for a proper chance, and finally awaited it in the 81st minute when Dany Mota’s header broke the deadlock. Denzel Dumfries only managed to save his team from defeat in the 88th minute, making it 1-1.⚽️ Denzel Dumfries | Monza 1-1 Interpic.twitter.com/IkpUx6iwxH— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 15, 2024 Monza knew how to torment Inter Milan in the past, so Simone Inzaghi kept in mind that his crew had to be concentrated and serious despite the Champions League clash against Man City at Etihad being on the horizon. However, the 48-year-old strategist made numerous changes in the starting 11, leaving Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Denzel Dumfries all on the bench, with Stefan de Vrij, Carlos Augusto, Kristjan Asllani, Davide Frattesi, and Matteo Darmian replacing them. Although Inzaghi spoke of seriousness, his choice of XI did not say the same, and that was what Alessandro Nesta, Simone’s former teammate, and his boys wanted to exploit.Dovbyk finally scores but Roma is still winlessThe only moment worth mentioning in the first 25 minutes was Lautaro Martinez’s header, which went over the crossbar. The Argentinian could have assisted in the 26th minute, but Frattesi failed to convert his captain’s cross, narrowly missing the target. Until the break neither Inter nor Monza did anything significant. It was clear that Inzaghi’s team was missing creativity in the midfield. Moreover, the Biancorossi even had the possession advantage in the ultimate ten minutes of the first half, while the Nerazzurri failed to score before the break for the first time this season.At least, Nyayo and Kasarani will survive: Milan and Inter want to destroy their iconic San SiroDespite the evident lack of fluidity, the Inter boss sent the XI with no subs to the pitch after the break. Marcus Thuram finally “appeared” for the first time in the 52nd minute, sending a header far wide of the right post. Inzaghi at last reacted in the 55th minute, subbing Dumfries, Piotr Zielinski and Mehdi Taremi in for Darmian, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and the skipper Martinez.Nevertheless, those changes had no impact on Inter’s pale performance and futile dominance. The clock was ticking and the deadlock-breaker was not on the horizon. At the same time, Nesta kept refreshing his lineup with occasional substitutions. Seventeen minutes before the end, the Nerazzuri’s manager subbed in two forwards – Marko Arnautovic and Joaquin Correa – desperately trying to find a winner. The only question was whether it was too late.🚨🚨| GOAL: MONZA HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD AGAINST INTER!! Monza 1-0 Inter pic.twitter.com/UXiwCoLfeI— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) September 15, 2024 The sub Dany Mota’s perfect header in the 81st minute showed that it was! Armando Izzo ideally crossed the ball from the right flank and the 26-year-old Portuguese sent it home for a huge lead for Monza! However, the Biancorossi rejoiced for only seven minutes! In the 88th, Dumfries levelled from the far post, using Carlos Augusto’s excellent low cross – 1-1! Still, Monza managed to salvage a draw until the end and win a huge point while Inter revealed numerous vulnerabilities to Pep Guardiola.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 4SaturdayComo – Bologna 2-2 (1-0)/Casale 5 og, Cutrone 53 – Castro 76, Junior 90+1/Empoli – Juventus 0-0Milan – Venezia 4-0 (4-0)/Hernandez 2, Fofana 16, Pulisic 25 pen, Abraham 29 pen/Sunday Genoa – Roma 1-1 (0-1)/De Winter 90+6 – Dovbyk 37/Atalanta – Fiorentina 3-2 (3-2)/Retegui 21, De Ketelaere 45, Lookman 45+1 – Martinez Quarta 15, Kean 32/Torino – Lecce 0-0Cagliari – Napoli 0-4 (0-1)/Di Lorenzo 18, Kvaratskhelia 66, Lukaku 70, Buongiorno 90+3/Monza – Inter 1-1 (0-0)/Mota 81 – Dumfries 89/Monday 19.30: (2.35) Parma (3.40) Udinese (3.25)21.45: (1.65) Lazio (3.70) Verona (5.60)***odds are subject to change***
