MILAN: Edin Dzeko netted a last-gasp winner to help Inter Milan beat virus-hit Venezia 2-1 and move five points clear at the top of Serie A on Saturday.

It was Dzeko’s first goal since the beginning of December. Nicolo Barella had cancelled out Thomas Henry’s shock opener for Venezia in the first half.

“When you score in the last minute, its normal to celebrate in a frenzy,” Dzeko said. “The team had certainly missed my goals, but the most important thing is winning. It was wonderful to score in the 90th minute.”

Defending champions Inter consolidated their lead ahead of the eagerly anticipated derby match against second-place AC Milan after the international break.

Venezia remained two points above the relegation zone. They were depleted by the coronavirus and made the trip without eight players and several members of staff, including coach Paolo Zanetti, who had all tested positive for Covid-19. New Serie A rules that came into place recently state that a match will be postponed if nine players out of a list of 25 squad members are out with the virus.

But it was the visitors who took a surprise lead in the 19th minute when Ethan Ampadu whipped in a fantastic cross to the back post and Henry headed it in off the underside of the crossbar.

Venezia defended well and they took Inter until five minutes from halftime to equalise. Visiting goalkeeper Luca Lezzerini did brilliantly to parry Ivan Perisic’s volley from close range but Barella slid in to fire home the rebound.

Venezia were left fuming as it felt there was a foul by Inter forward Dzeko on Marco Modolo in the buildup leaving the defender with a black eye but the goal was awarded after a VAR check.

Inter wasted several chances to take the lead in the second half. Just when it appeared as if the Nerazzuri would pay for their profligacy, Dzeko, who had been guilty of most of those misses, headed in Denzel Dumfries’ cross in the final minute.

Elsewhere, Atalanta also had several players out with Covid-19 for their match at Lazio but they managed to pick up what could prove to be a precious point in a 0-0 draw.

In another match, Genoa showed clear improvement under new coach Alexander Blessin in a 0-0 draw against Udinese. Genoa were aggressive from the start although hopes of getting all three points diminished 11 minutes from time, when Andrea Cambiaso was shown a second yellow card for dissent following a booking for a foul.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2022