Nemanja Vidic sent off on debut as Inter Milan draw with Torino

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:32 am
Nemanja Vidic saw red in Turin.
Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Nemanja Vidic's Serie A debut ended prematurely as the former Manchester United defender was shown a red card in Inter Milan's 0-0 draw against Torino, who missed a penalty at the Stadio Olimpico.

Marcelo Larrondo was guilty of missing the best chance of the night from the penalty spot in the 19th minute of the battle between two of Italy's Europa League qualifiers.

Vidic then saw his debut come to an end just moments before the end as ironic applause earned him a second yellow card in stoppage time, meaning he will miss the Nerazzurri's clash with Sassoulo.

While Vidic was making his debut for Inter, there was no sign of Alessio Cerci in the Torino squad with the Italy international on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid - the Spanish champions having announced a deal was in place on Monday night.

Instead, Fabio Quagliarella led the Torino attack with Larrondo chosen ahead of Paulo Barreto to partner him.

It was Quagliarella who earned Torino a penalty when he went down in the area under the challenge of Vidic, and the referee pointed to the spot, even though he could maybe have let play continue with Larrondo well placed to score.

Perhaps upset not to have had the chance to put the ball away on that occasion, Larrondo convinced regular penalty taker Omar El Kaddouri to let him take the spot-kick, but he lacked conviction with his effort and Samir Handanovic pushed the ball behind.

Inter had to wait until early in the second half for their first real opening of the match with Hernanes and Mauro Icardi combining well, but Torino responded well with Larrondo and Quagliarella both going close.

Inter coach Walter Mazzarri sent Pablo Osvaldo on to boost his attack, but the former Southampton forward was unable to make an impact on the game.

That was instead what Vidic did, learning the hard way what not to do in Serie A as his ironic applause towards the officials earned him his second yellow card of the night and a walk of shame off the Stadio Olimpico pitch, just seconds before the rest of the two sides followed.