Perisic winner boosts De Boer hopes
AFP
AFP, MILAN: A second-half winner by Ivan Perisic boosted Frank De Boers survival prospects as Inter Milan fought to a deserved 2-1 Derby dItalia win over Juventus in Serie A on Sunday.
De Boer, who succeeded Roberto Mancini at Inter two weeks before the start of the season, was rumoured to be facing the sack after a midweek defeat to Hapoel Beer Sheva followed a run of poor results in the league.
But the former Ajax handlers job looks safe, for the meantime, after Inter put their Europa League shocker behind them with a battling performance at a packed San Siro to hand the champions their first defeat of the season.
Stephan Lichesteiner opened the scoring for Massimiliano Allegris visitors against the run of play on 66 minutes, but Mauro Icardi continued his impressive form against Gianluigi Buffon by hitting the leveller just two minutes later.
Perisic then came off the bench to nod the winner from Icardis deft cross 12 minutes from time to send Inter up to seventh place in the table.
Inter are now three points behind Napoli, who, on 10 points, hold a one-point lead on Juventus.
Roma, who face Fiorentina away, can also climb to 10 points with a win in Florence later Sunday. De Boer told Sky Sport: Im very happy with the teams performance, and the result but we have to try to play like this every week.
The goal-scoring prospects for either side looked bleak after goalless outings against European opposition this week.
Juve were held to a scoreless draw by Europa League winners Sevilla in their Champions League opener while Inter looked completely hapless on their way to a 2-0 reverse against their Israeli visitors at the San Siro.
But the Derby dItalia gave De Boer the chance to convince his employers, and the Dutchman didnt disappoint.
He dropped Marcelo Brozovic for disciplinary reasons and Perisic was initially only fit enough to start on the bench.
Allegri, meanwhile, kept star striker Gonzalo Higuain on the bench, with Mario Mandzukic partnering Paulo Dybala, although the Argentine striker was visibly frustrated as he sat on the touchlines.
Allegri later deflected questions about Higuain, saying: He did well. He fought hard, but its not easy for strikers whether youre winning or losing.
But he admitted: We were in difficulty because Inter played a great game. We took the lead against the run of play but we barely held it for two minutes.
You have to fight for victory if you want it. This defeat should remind us we have to keep our feet on the ground.
Amid a nervous opening half Sami Khedira sent a free header from Alex Sandros cross straight at Samir Handanovic. Inter went on the counter after Icardi robbed Giorgio Chiellini, and the Argentines curling drive came off the far post.
Juve threatened only three minutes after the restart, Dybala firing a deflected shot over.
But it served only to spark Inter.
Eders deflected shot from 25 metres almost caught Buffon off guard and Juve breathed a huge sigh of relief after another counter saw Buffon at full stretch as Antonio Candrevas crisp volley from Icardis delivery inched past the far post.
