Inter bounces back from Super Cup loss to beat Venezia and close gap to Napoli
MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan bounced back from a demoralizing Italian Super Cup loss but it was harder than might have been expected at relegation-threatened Venezia.
Defender Matteo Darmian scored the only goal of the match in the 16th minute as Inter ground out a 1-0 win to move to within one point of Serie A leader Napoli, which played lowly Hellas Verona later Sunday.
If Napoli wins that match, it will move four points clear of the defending champion, although Inter will have played two fewer matches.
Inter lost the Italian Super Cup final to city rival AC Milan in Saudi Arabia on Monday after throwing away a 2-0 lead.
It was also facing an injury crisis Sunday as several key players either could not make the trip to Venice or were only fit for a place on the bench.
Inter took the lead when Lautaro Martínez showed fantastic control on a long ball over the top. His volley was parried by Filip Stankovic but Darmian turned in the rebound
Stankovic, who is the son of Inter hero Dejan and also on loan from the Nerazzurri, pulled off a number of fine saves against his parent club.
Venezia almost leveled in the 74th but United States international Gianluca Busio curled a fine attempt off the base of the far post.
Inter held on for its sixth straight away victory without conceding a goal.
Venezia remained 19th in the 20-team standings, five points from safety.
First home victory for Genoa
New Genoa owner Dan Sucu was in the stands to see the team beat Parma 1-0 in a relegation fight, for its first home win of the season.
It needed a huge slice of luck as Morten Frendrup’s strike took a huge deflection off Parma defender Enrico Delprato to give Genoa the lead in the 65th minute.
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