Into the channels: 15/12/2014

ChievoVerona 0 - 2 Internazionale

Last month's Milan derby wasn't quite vintage stuff. If the Derby della Madonnina can usually be described as a fine wine, its most recent iteration was more like an Icardi Breezer.

Football was back on trial in Verona this Monday, as Roberto Mancini led Internazionale's bumbling b-listers eastwards, to face Chievo.

This header from Argentinian Izco was well saved by Samir Handanovic

Icardi has only his own poor control to blame for ending up that far wide in this shot

But after Icardi won a header, Mateo Kovacic gave him a lesson in taking his chances, scoring from 6 yards

Kovacic got lumps kicked out of him. Not that his teammates weren't busy kicking lumps out of former nemesis Valter Birsa and co.

Inter were constantly seeking to release their forwards with balls into the channels between the full-backs and centre-backs

Scarfless Mancini indicates how many goals he would like

This was a strong man's game, and Fredy Guardin is a strong man

Riccardo Meggiorini tries an overhead kick, but Handanovic saves

Chievo looked pretty much useless for half an hour, after which they managed to create a few counter-attacks down the wings. But these petered out once it transpired both sides would rather kick people than footballs, and so the half ended with the score 1-0 to the visitors.

Could the Flying Donkeys repeat last season's feat - coming from behind to win 2-1? Or would Mancini hold on for his first league win in his second spell?

Nagatomo relayed the Nerazzurri's intentions to their hosts, bursting into the box to fire just wide immediately upon the restart. Luckily, Alberto Paloschi was keen to replicate that feat down the other end, as the pace picked up, and the game became more open.

Paloschi's miss

It was especially open at corners. Inter had two in quick succession 10 minutes after the break: the first saw a shot from D'Ambrosio cleared off the line; the second was stabbed home by captain Andrea Ranocchia.

Ranocchia's non-miss

Guarin, just after hitting the pass that should have led to a great counter-attacking opportunity far too hard

Ruben Botta's sending off, for complaining too hard after being booked for tackling too hard, pretty much killed the game

An 83rd minute shot from Guarin was blocked, and an 84th minute air shot from Dani Osvaldo followed it, as Inter controlled the game without really looking like scoring a third. And, down to ten men, Chievo weren't really that bothered about chasing them. They finish the game a point and a place above Cagliari, who they beat 2-0 last week, and who are occupying the a relegation spot.