Inter 1-0 Genoa: Martinez header takes champions above Napoli

A goal from Lautaro Martinez was enough to earn Inter a 1-0 win over Genoa at San Siro on Saturday, provisionally sending the Nerazzurri top of Serie A.

The opening half offered little in the way of chances or entertainment and Inter were frustrated by a disciplined visiting side.

The first shot on target came in the 65th minute as Mehdi Taremi had an effort blocked on the line, with Inter piling on the pressure in search of a winner.

It finally paid off 12 minutes from time when Martinez headed Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner home, with the ball sneaking under Nicola Leali and in.

Genoa were unable to find a response late on and they stay 12th in the table with 30 points.

Inter, meanwhile, have 57 points, putting them one clear of Antonio Conte’s Napoli. The Partenopei go to Como on Sunday, before the top two face off on March 1.

Data Debrief: Martinez climbs the charts

Martinez’s goal was his 10th in Serie A this season. While he may not have hit the heights of previous seasons, this strike did see him clinch a place in Inter’s record books.

He is the first foreign player to ever score 10 or more goals in six different Serie A seasons for Inter, while he is now up to 113 goals in the competition overall.

He is tied with Roberto Boninsegna in sixth place in Inter’s all-time Serie A scorers list. Sandro Mazzola, in fifth, is just three clear of the Argentine.