Inter frustrated by Genoa

Struggling Genoa held Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw with a spirited performance at the San Siro on Saturday.

Struggling Genoa held Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw with a spirited performance at the San Siro on Saturday. Genoa soaked up the pressure and frustrated their hosts before going in front through Ciro Immobile in the 77th minute. Inter's efforts were finally rewarded in the 85th minute with Esteban Cambiasso pulling them level, but Marko Livaja missed a glorious chance to win it as the Nerazzurri only managed to reduce the gap to Juventus at the top of the table to nine points. Inter spent much of the game on the attack with Genoa defending well and waiting for rare chances on the break. Former Genoa striker Rodrigo Palacio had the first chance for the Nerazzurri in the 10th minute when he controlled the ball on his chest, but he allowed it to get just a bit too far in front of him, enabling goalkeeper Sebastien Frey to get their first. Immobile had Genoa's only shot of the first half from 20 yards with Samir Handanovic remaining alert to push it wide after a slight deflection. Palacio wasted Inter's next big chance at the start of the second half when he shot over from just inside the area, with Andreas Granqvist putting him under pressure. Frey made a good save to deny Palacio four minutes later before Handanovic courageously pushed the ball away from Marco Rossi at the other end. Inter continued to press and got caught on the break in the 77th minute. Luca Antonelli sent a long ball forward to Immobile, whose excellent first touch set him up for a run at goal and he skipped past Andrea Ranocchia before threading the ball under Handanovic. Inter responded eight minutes later, with Cambiasso stealing between two defenders to head the leveller from seven yards. The home side continued to throw men forward and almost took the points in the last minute when Diego Milito's cross was met by Livaja at the far post, but he struck his shot against the woodwork from just a yard out.