PARMA, ITALY — League leaders Internazionale extended their commanding position at the summit of Serie A with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over struggling Parma at the Ennio Tardini, a result that perfectly encapsulated the gulf in class between the title contenders and relegation battlers.
The Nerazzurri's tactical superiority was evident from the opening whistle, as they controlled 63% of possession and pinned Parma back for long stretches of the encounter. Simone Inzaghi's side demonstrated why they sit 19 points clear of their hosts, dominating every facet of the game with clinical precision and tactical discipline that has become their hallmark this season.
Federico Dimarco broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute with a moment of individual brilliance that showcased Inter's quality in the final third. The left-back, operating in his hybrid wing-back role, received possession in a difficult angle on the left flank before unleashing a right-footed shot that found its way to the centre of the goal. The strike required VAR confirmation but stood as a testament to Dimarco's technical ability and composure under pressure. The goal came against the run of play for Parma, who had briefly threatened through Adrián Bernabé's blocked effort just moments earlier.
The tactical battle revealed Inter's superiority in every department, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Çalhanoglu controlling the midfield tempo while Parma struggled to establish any meaningful rhythm. The hosts' defensive structure, marshalled by Alessandro Circati and Enrico Delprato, held firm for large periods but ultimately couldn't contain Inter's relentless pressure and movement in the final third.
Internazionale launched 26 shots at goal compared to Parma's meager four attempts, a statistic that perfectly illustrated their dominance throughout the 90 minutes. Parma's goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi was kept busy, making six saves to prevent an even more emphatic scoreline, including crucial stops to deny Lautaro Martínez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the second half. The Argentine striker, despite not finding the net, was instrumental in Inter's attacking play, constantly dropping deep to link play and creating space for his teammates.
The turning point came in the second half when Inter's superior fitness and squad depth began to tell. Inzaghi's tactical substitutions, bringing on Nicolò Barella and Marcus Thuram, injected fresh energy into his side's attacking play. The French striker's introduction proved particularly decisive, as he brought pace and directness that stretched Parma's tiring defense.
Thuram sealed the victory in dramatic fashion during the eighth minute of stoppage time, capitalizing on a perfectly executed counter-attack. Nicolò Barella, who had only been on the pitch for 20 minutes, provided the assist following a fast break that caught Parma's defense completely exposed. The striker's left-footed finish from the centre of the box found the bottom right corner, capping off a move that epitomized Inter's clinical efficiency in transition.
The match wasn't without controversy, as VAR played a significant role in the closing stages. Thuram thought he had scored earlier when Ange-Yoan Bonny found the net, but the goal was overturned for handball by the French striker. The incident highlighted the fine margins in modern football, though it ultimately didn't affect the final outcome given Thuram's legitimate winner moments later.
Parma's attacking threat was virtually non-existent, managing zero shots on target throughout the entire encounter. Their best opportunity fell to Patrick Cutrone in stoppage time, but his effort from the centre of the box sailed harmlessly over the crossbar, summing up their frustrating afternoon in front of goal.
The victory maintains Inter's perfect record at the top of Serie A, with their 12 wins from 16 matches demonstrating the consistency that has made them overwhelming favorites for the title. For Parma, sitting precariously in 15th place with just 17 points, this defeat highlighted the significant work required to climb away from relegation danger.
Looking ahead, Parma will host Lecce on January 11 in what promises to be a crucial encounter in their fight for survival, while Internazionale will welcome Napoli to San Siro on the same date in a potential title-defining clash between two of Serie A's heavyweights.