Parma 1-2 Inter: Sanchez double moves Nerazzurri six points clear

Inter moved six points clear at the Serie A summit as a brace from Alexis Sanchez sealed a 2-1 win away at struggling Parma on Thursday.   

Scudetto rivals Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Udinese on Wednesday and Antonio Conte’s side took full advantage of that slip up to move closer to a first league title since the 2009-10 campaign.   

Sanchez, who scored in the weekend win over Genoa, set Inter on their way to a sixth consecutive top-flight win with his fourth league goal of the campaign nine minutes into the second half.   

The former Manchester United player added another eight minutes later as Inter, who gave the hosts hope of salvaging a draw when Hernani scored 19 minutes from full time, claimed yet another three points to pull away from their neighbours at the top of the table.

8 – Romelu Lukaku has delivered eight Serie A assists this season: it is a record for him in a single campaign in the Top-5 European leagues. Evolution.#ParmaInter pic.twitter.com/7waxuZ61VJ

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 4, 2021

Parma carved out the first clear sight of goal in the contest, Samir Handanovic pawing away Jasmin Kurtic’s header in the 15th minute.   

A sluggish Inter did not have a shot on target until the 33rd minute when Milan Skriniar’s effort inside the six-yard box was well kept out by Luigi Sepe.   

The Parma goalkeeper then thwarted Romelu Lukaku after he had been played in by Marcelo Brozovic, while the Belgium international also headed wide before the interval.   

However, Inter started the second half brightly and went ahead in the 54th minute when Sanchez’s strike from eight yards proved too powerful for Sepe, creeping over the line before Riccardo Gagliolo could clear.   

The Chile international claimed his second in the 62nd minute, sliding his finish past an exposed Sepe after a barnstorming run from Lukaku created the opportunity for his team-mate.   

Hernani set up a tense finale with a controlled volley from 10 yards from Giuseppe Pezzella’s cross in the 71st minute, yet Inter held on to take another significant step towards the title.

What does it mean? Parma make it difficult 

Inter did not have it all their own way against a side that has now gone 16 games without a win in Serie A, the hosts enjoying 52 per cent possession and taking 12 shots to their opponents’ tally of 11. 

With a first title in more than a decade in their sights, however, Conte will scarcely care. The only thing that matters now to the Inter boss is getting three more points.  

Sanchez steps up in style 

Conte opted to give Lautaro Martinez a rest – albeit he did come on as a late substitute – and his replacement did not disappoint. Sanchez completed just eight passes in his 75 minutes on the pitch but scored two goals from as many attempts. With that kind of accuracy, Conte might be tempted to stick with him for the next few games.  

Quiet outing for Perisic  

Ivan Perisic struggled to make an impact for the visitors, winning none of his five duels and losing possession 10 times before he was brought off for Matteo Darmian inside the final 10 minutes.  

What’s next? 

Inter will be hoping to make it seven Serie A wins on the spin when they host Atalanta on Monday, while Parma visit Fiorentina a day earlier.