Inter Milan’s Adem Ljajic fires past Genoa and two points clear of Napoli atop Serie A table

Inter Milan had trailed on-form Napoli by a point but are now two clear of Maurizio Sarri’s fellow title hopefuls ahead of their trip to Bologna on Sunday, when third-placed Fiorentina host Udinese.

Inter Milan's Adem Ljajic celebrates after scoring against Genoa at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

Milan // Adem Ljajic hit a stunning second-half free kick to secure a 1-0 win over Genoa as 10-man Inter Milan returned to the top of Serie A in style on Saturday.

Inter trailed on-form Napoli by a point but are now two clear of Maurizio Sarri's fellow title hopefuls ahead of their trip to Bologna on Sunday, when third-placed Fiorentina host Udinese.

Having suffered an “undeserved” defeat at Napoli last week, Inter coach Roberto Mancini admitted to Premium Sport: “It was important for us to win again immediately to confirm all the good things we’ve been doing.

“In the first half we had a lot of chances and against Genoa, if you don’t take them, you can end up paying.”

Inter dominated a dramatic encounter at the San Siro, where Ljajic made the difference and Danilo D’Ambrosio was sent off late for the hosts, who had lost Felipe Melo at half-time after a nasty clash of heads with teammate Gary Medel.

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Mancini continued to leave Argentinian Mauro Icardi on the bench, with Rodrigo Palacio stepping up into the sole striker’s role and Stevan Jovetic playing just behind him.

But it was Ljajic who shone brightest, the Serbian coming agonisingly close on more than one occasion in a busy opening half.

“Icardi has missed two out of 15 games, and that’s okay because we have four or five strikers,” explained Mancini.

“When they all get their chance to play, they do what they have to do and that’s why tonight we’re top of the league.”

A Ljajic angled drive flew just past Mattia Perin’s near post after he danced past his marker to the left of goal.

A clash of heads between Medel and Melo left the former nursing a nasty graze and would later end Melo’s involvement at half-time.

But Inter kept their heads and only great reflexes from Perin stopped a Ljajic volley from nine yards after a great delivery from Alex Telles, while Ljajic drilled inches wide of the near post when he ran on to Palacio’s cutback in added-on time.

Marcelo Brozovic replaced Melo for the second half and eight minutes in Genoa had their first real chance, with Samir Handanovic forced down low to block Diogo Figueiras’s skidding shot.

But Inter were soon back in command and after Palacio was set free down the left the Argentinian delivered a fine cutback for Stevan Jovetic the forward agonisingly flashed over.

Ljajic broke the deadlock in stunning fashion on 59 minutes when he whipped a free kick from the left touchline over the heads of everyone, including Perin, to see it bounce up into the net.

The goal was reminiscent of the Miralem Pjanic strike that gave fellow title hopefuls Roma the lead away to Torino before Maxi Lopez pulled one back for the hosts at the death to leave Roma fourth, now five points adrift.

Another clash, this time involving Medel and Nicolas Burdisso left the Genoa player receiving treatment for back pain and apparent breathing problems.

Jovetic used the stoppage prompted by that incident to signal a change and the Montenegrin was soon replaced by Ivan Perisic, with former Inter striker Goran Pandev replacing Figueiras for Genoa.

Perisic immediately added some pace but his delivery for Palacio yards from goal was wasted.

Pandev’s arrival, meanwhile, brought promise but D’Ambrosio was quick to block the Macedonian and after Handanovic got down low to stop Tino Costa’s drilled effort, Jeison Murillo came in to stop Pandev.

Ljajic was in his stride while in possession and with a deft backheel on the left touchline he set up Perisic for a cross that brought a desperate clearing header from Cristian Ansaldi as Jonathan Biabiany lurked in front of goal.

Genoa were given late hope when D’Ambrosio, who was booked earlier, saw red with a second caution for sliding in and grazing the leg of Diego Perotti.

But the visitors failed to capitalise and Inter held on to become the first team to claim a 10th league win this season.

“It wasn’t easy to play against this Inter,” said Genoa coach Gian Piero Pasperini.

“They pressed us high and had four really quick players up front.”

Marco Icardi still ‘number one’ striker, says Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini has backed out-of-favour striker Mauro Icardi to return and hit 20 goals this season as 10-man Inter Milan continued their push for a Champions League spot with a 1-0 win over Genoa.

Icardi sat on the bench for the second consecutive game as Mancini shook things up by giving Rodrigo Palacio a rare start up front with Stevan Jovetic playing just behind the main striker as part of an attacking trident.

Adem Ljajic started on the left of that line but was by far the star performer, the Serbian missing three solid chances in the first half before finding the net on 59 minutes with a spectacular free kick from the left touchline.

The ex-Roma forward’s second consecutive league goal, after his consolation in a 2-1 defeat at Napoli last week, once again underlined Icardi’s continued absence for the Nerazzurri.

But Mancini said the Argentinian, who hit 22 goals last season to finish tied with Luca Toni as Serie A’s top scorer, remains his number one striker and is firmly in his plans.

“Tonight he didn’t come on, and that’s okay. We have several top strikers and sometimes it’s good to change them around and keep your opponents guessing. Up until now, it’s worked well so we’ll continue like that,” said Mancini.

“Mauro is still our number one striker and for us to qualify for the Champions League we’ll be needing his 20 goals.”

Icardi is goal-shy Inter’s top scorer with four goals so far, with Jovetic (3), Ivan Perisic (2) and Ljajic (2) the biggest contributors to Inter’s modest tally of 18 in 15 games.

Roma, in fourth at five points adrfit, top the scoring charts with 30 goals ahead of Fiorentina (28) and Napoli (27).

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