Genoa

2.77

• 
  8

  0

  3.50

  Sebastien Frey

  Made an excellent save from Samuel’s header, probably earning the luck that came soon after with Milito shooting straight at him. Immediately following Nagatomo’s winner he kept his side in the game by showing lightning reactions to keep out Pazzini.

• 
  0

  2

  3.00

  Dario Dainelli

  His continued use at full back points to Alberto Malesani’s wish to make his side difficult to break down, but Inter still made chances by making the most of his immobility. What’s more, he rarely supplemented the Genoa attack, giving the visitors an easy time down his flank.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Andreas Granqvist

  Would have been unlucky to be penalized for his challenge on Milito as he tried to get his body in front of the striker, but then Nagatomo was somehow allowed to get up unmarked for the winner in his territory. Thrown up front at the death in a forlorn attempt to snatch an equalizer.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  Giandomenico Mesto

  Didn't really get forward enough to justify his inclusion as a right-sided midfield player rather than at full back as he has of late. Almost ended up as a fifth defender at times as Nagatomo attacked at will in behind his natural line.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Emiliano Moretti

  Still doesn’t appear at ease in the left back role, though he did get forward a couple of times in the second half in order to test the visitors’ defense. Needs to show more ingenuity to nail down his place out wide though.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Miguel Veloso

  Guilty of losing the ball too often in his quest to be the cool and assuring ball-player, though his left foot did look to be the most likely source of anything positive for the Grifone, and he forced Julio Cesar into an excellent save in injury time.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Marco Rossi

  The man will never change. His all-action, belligerent style continues to be a key feature of Genoa’s play, and it would have been no surprise had his late volley beaten Julio Cesar. If his teammates had shown the same application Genoa may well have got something from the game.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  Kevin Constant

  Wasn’t quite on the same wavelength as Ze Eduardo during the first half, meaning neither were able to ask too many questions of the Inter back line. It got no better for him after the break, and he was replaced by Jankovic.

• 
  2

  0

  2.50

  Alexander Merkel

  Endeavor wasn’t quite enough to open up Inter tonight, and the Nerazzurri's ability to get on top in midfield left the German-Belarussian short of real opportunities to get at the visitors. Replaced by Caracciolo with 15 to go as Genoa chased the game.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  Zé Eduardo

  Often found himself completely isolated from his teammates in the first half, with the midfield failing to supply him with the necessary support. Hauled off soon after the break in favor of Pratto.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Lucas Pratto

  Brought on for Ze Eduardo just after the interval and brought a new dimension to the attack with his height, yet it still wasn't enough for Genoa to forge better openings until he laid on Veloso's chance in injury time.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Bosko Jankovic

  Replaced the largely ineffective Constant early in the second half, but his delivery wasn't always as crisp as it has been at times this season.

• 
  1

  0

  0.00

  Andrea Caracciolo

  Thrown on for the last 15 in place of Merkel.

Inter

2.96

• 
  13

  4

  3.50

  Julio César

  Largely untroubled, but he was forced into an excellent double save at the end, getting a strong double-handed stop behind Rossi's volley before tipping over Veloso's fierce strike. Organized his back line very well too.

• 
  10

  4

  3.50

  Javier Adelmar Zanetti

  Not his usual dominant self on his return to the side after suspension, but he held his position well enough to ensure Inter were not overly tested. Allowed Nagatomo to roam on the other flank by filling in as a third defender whenever the Japanese went forward.

• 
  10

  2

  3.00

  Lucio

  Not overly stretched defensively, his distribution was mixed between the typical domineering runs and uncharacteristic long passes. On one of the rare occasions he was required at the back, he appeared to pull a muscle clearing on the volley, but showed no ill effects thereafter.

• 
  11

  2

  3.00

  Walter Adrian Samuel

  Had plenty of space to get a header in from Faraoni’s corner, and will probably think he could have done much better with his attempt. Defensively he was as sound as ever though, keeping a second successive clean sheet alongside Lucio.

• 
  25

  5

  3.00

  Yuto Nagatomo

  Had the rule of the roost down the left side at times, with Poli’s tendency to drift inside making the Japan international a more than useful overlap option. Having come close to an opener with his knee, he grabbed his second goal in successive games by nodding home unmarked from Alvarez’s cross.

• 
  8

  3

  3.00

  Thiago Motta

  Guilty of misjudging his passes on occasion, with one such instance resulting in a dangerous counter set up by Merkel. Helped to stretch the Genoa back line too though, especially as they chased the game late on.

• 
  21

  2

  2.50

  Andrea Poli

  Starting his first game for the club against his former rivals, he was quickly into the heart of the action. Won plenty of possession with timely tackles, and was a forceful presence in his 68 minutes on the pitch.

• 
  7

  3

  3.00

  Esteban Matias Cambiasso

  Had to bail himself out with great recovery work after his poor control nearly handed Genoa cheap possession in Inter’s half, and it was a measure of both the good and bad of his game at the moment. Occasionally too slow, but he has the wily knack of getting through matches unscathed still.

• 
  11

  3

  2.50

  Marco Faraoni

  Looked to show positive intent when he could, but one left-foot shot which he dragged wide was an example of his inability to make the right choices at times, and his tendency to fade out of the reckoning resulted in him being replaced at the break.

• 
  8

  3

  2.50

  Giampaolo Pazzini

  Forced two good saves out of Frey, thought he should have scored from the second in injury time. Largely won his battle with Kaladze, though he could sometimes do with winning more ball in the air and linking better with Inter's wide men.

• 
  10

  9

  2.50

  Diego Alberto Milito Flop of the Match

  The Bidone d’Oro winner might be already making a case for back-to-back awards, with his shot from five yards being hit straight at Frey. While his workrate remains high, he can't seem to stop delivering poor results in front of goal.

Substitutions

• 
  23

  2

  3.50

  Ricardo Gabriel Álvarez Top of the Match

  Replaced Faraoni at the interval and proved to be a vital addition when crossing for Nagatomo to open the scoring. Still appears unsure about the best way to take on full-backs, but he did his just in beating Dainelli in the game-winning move.

• 
  11

  2

  3.00

  Obi

  Replaced debutant Poli midway through the second half but lost a bit too much ball for a side hanging on to a one-goal lead. Was excellent in the tackle though.

• 
  19

  3

  0.00

  Diego Forlan Corazo

  Given just 10 minutes to shine in place of Milito, and aside from one snapshot straight at Frey he had little to do but hold up the ball as Inter held on.