Perisic scores but Inter Milan miss chance to go clear atop Serie A

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:10 am
Ivan Perisic got Inter off to a rocking start on Saturday, but they couldn't keep the lead.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

Inter Milan missed the chance to temporarily go top of Serie A after being held to a 1-1 draw at Palermo.

Ivan Perisic opened the scoring for Roberto Mancini's side on the hour mark, but former AC Milan striker Alberto Gilardino equalised shortly after as Inter were frustrated for a third week running.

Having failed to beat Juventus last week, Inter went into the game on the back of three games without a win following an excellent start to the campaign, and were immediately on the back foot.

Gilardino had a golden chance to open the scoring in the sixth minute, but headed over from just eight yards.

Stevan Jovetic was lively throughout, but was wasteful in front of goal before Samir Handanovic was called into action as Franco Vazquez forced a full-stretch save as the visitors piled on the pressure.

There was a moment of controversy as Geoffrey Kondogbia avoided a second yellow card as Vazquez went to ground, only for the Palermo forward to see yellow for simulation.

Mancini's half-time team talk looked to have fired his players up however, as they upped the tempo after the break and Jovetic drew a fine save with a pinpoint free-kick.

The deadlock was eventually broken when Perisic tapped home following good work by substitute Jonathan Biabiany.

However Gilardino was on hand moments later to finish a scrappy move following more good work down the wing by Vazquez.

Inter were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes to go when Jeison Murillo, but the two sides were unable to be separated as time eventually ran out, leaving Inter level on points with league leaders Fiorentina.