Inter Milan 2 - 0 Genoa: Marcelo Brozovic's double downs Genoa

Posted Monday, December 12, 2016 by PA

Marcelo Brozovic's brace boosted Inter Milan to a 2-0 victory over Genoa and into the top half of the Serie A table.

The Croatian box-to-box midfielder notched the opener against the run of play at San Siro before blasting a powerful drive beyond visiting goalkeeper Mattia Perin in the second half.

The Nerazzurri are now eighth, three places and seven points shy of the nearest Europa League spot, while Genoa remain in 13th following a third defeat in six league games.

Before kick-off on Sunday, Inter's Ultras displayed a banner explaining why they planned to stay silent throughout the first half by way of protest at the current state of the club.

With thick fog covering the pitch, Genoa cut through the haze to test keeper Samir Handanovic, who needed Danilo D'Ambrosio to make a goal-line clearance when Darko Lazovic came knocking.

The Serbian then set up Lucas Ocampos for an attempt at the far post, which Handanovic somehow managed to scoop clear.

The storm weathered, Inter raced down the other end to score in the 38th minute. Joao Mario's corner met Brozovic on the edge of the box and he drove the ball into the bottom corner.

Genoa looked dangerous after the restart with Handanovic denying Lazovic, but it was Inter who scored the next goal.

In the 69th minute Brozovic grabbed his second after collecting Joao Mario's assist in the box.

Perin pulled off a miraculous save from Miranda's header as Inter pushed for a game-killing third.