Inter are running wild with a 4-1 half-time lead away to Benevento, including a Romelu Lukaku brace and Achraf Hakimi’s first Serie A goal.
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This Week 1 fixture was postponed from September 19-20 because the Nerazzurri ended their season so late due to the Europa League Final. Arturo Vidal and Achraf Hakimi received their first starts, Stefan de Vrij returned after missing the 4-3 win over Fiorentina through suspension, with Milan Skriniar getting a rare start. Benevento fought back to beat Sampdoria 3-2 last week and shattered Serie B records under coach Pippo Inzaghi, but missed Oliver Kragl, Nicolas Viola, Andres Tello, Luca Antei and Massimo Volta.
It took under 30 seconds to break the deadlock, as Hakimi burst down the right after combining with Aleksandar Kolarov and rolled across for Romelu Lukaku to fire in relatively undisturbed. It was Hakimi’s second assist of the season, as he also provided one on his debut after coming on as a substitute.
Roberto Insigne failed to make the most of a poor Stefano Sensi back-pass and Artur Ionita’s header was straight at Samir Handanovic, but Inter got their second with Hakimi again involved.
This time, his cross from the left was knocked down by Ashley Young and Roberto Gagliardini let it bounce to smack in a half-volley from 14 yards.
Benevento goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò already gifted a goal to Sampdoria with his poor passing and did it again here, giving the ball straight to Gagliardini, who immediately set up Lukaku for an easy finish.
However, Inter returned the favour with a remarkably similar goal, this time Gagliardini and then Handanovic under pressure passing to Gianluca Caprari, who drilled into the near bottom corner from the D.
Federico Barba went off injured and Inter should really have had a fourth when Montipò and Christian Maggio collided, but the referee gave a free kick against Lukaku for a far from visible nudge.
It was only a matter of time and Hakimi got his first Serie A goal too. Lukaku only scuffed the Young low cross and substitute Gaetano Letizia thought he had more time on the clearance, but the former Real Madrid man snuck up behind him to prod into the net from five yards.
Vidal should’ve had a fifth moments later, somehow turning the free header wide of the back post.
Benevento 1-4 Inter (Half-Time)
R Lukaku 1, 28 (I), Gagliardini 25 (I), Caprari 34 (B), Hakimi 42 (I)
Benevento: Montipò; Maggio, Glik, Caldirola, Barba (Letizia 37); Ionita, Schiattarella, Dabo; R Insigne, Caprari; Moncini
Inter: Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij, Kolarov; Hakimi, Vidal, Gagliardini, Young; Sensi; R Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez
Ref: Piccinini
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