Almost a late, late chance for Benevento to equalise! Iemmello charges towards the visitors' penalty area before unleashing a low cross-cum-shot. It rolls over to the far post and almost picks out Parigini all alone, but Handanovic is just about able to get a hand on the ball at the vital moment to deny the subsitute an opportunity to shoot. That should be that for Inter.
90' +4
Benevento are presented with another chance to break forward after an Inter attack fails to come to anything, but Chibsah can't pick out D'Alessandro deep down the left flank and fires his lofted pass behind for a goal-kick.
90' +2
Inter patiently knock the ball around on the edge of the Benevento box as they try to find what would surely be the winner. Vecino is eventually able to get a shot away from 20 yards out, but his low shot is weak and fails to trouble Belec.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be six minutes of added time.
89'
Almost a late chance for Icardi! Perisic darts into the left-hand side of the Benevento penalty area before trying to square a pass over to Icardi, but Belec is there to stick out an arm to make sure the ball can't find the Argentine striker at the far post.
88'
Excellent defending by Gagliardini! Chibsah bursts through the middle of the pitch on a wonderful run and does really well to reach the edge of the Inter box, but just as he's about to shoot, Gagliardini pokes the ball away from him with a brilliant tackle from behind.
86'
Another Inter attack results in a corner over on the left. It's swung in by Brozovic and picks out Icardi at the near post, but the Argentine can't quite make decent enough contact with his head and the home side hold on once again.
85'
Dalbert enters the game and replaces Y. Nagatomo.
Meanwhile, Inter have replaced Nagatomo with Dalbert Henrique over on the left flank.
84'
A. Lazaar enters the game and replaces N. Viola.
Benevento have made their third and final substitution, with Achraf Lazaar coming on to replace Viola.
And now Perisic goes close! A cross into the box from Vecino is a weak one, but it deflects over to Brozovic. The Croatian quickly tees up Perisic to shoot, but the latter's effort is charged down quickly and deflects behind for a corner that fails to result in a chance on goal.
82'
Almost a great opportunity for Icardi! A lofted pass is fired over the Benevento back line and into the path of Icardi inside the hosts' penalty area, but the captain can't quite make decent contact with the ball and Belec can collect it without too many problems.
Minute
Description
80'
Big chance for Iemmello to equalise! Inter are given another scare by a determined Benevento attack, but Iemmello ends up accidentally handling the ball before eventually firing a low strike just wide of the near post.
79'
Thumping strike by Perisic! The Croatian is left on a pocket of space over on the left-hand side of the Benevento penalty area and quickly gets a shot away, but Belec does really well to get a hand to the strike to tip it over the crossbar.
78'
R. Gagliardini enters the game and replaces Borja Valero.
Inter have made their second substitution of the afternoon, with Valero coming off to be replaced by Roberto Gagliardini.
77'
Huge miss by Icardi! A low cross is fired into the middle of the box by Perisic and perfectly picks out Icardi, who immediately shoots but sends his rushed strike high over the top of the crossbar. He really should have buried that!
75'
Iemmello goes down on the edge of the Inter penalty area, but nothing is given! The striker charges towards the visitors' box before being brought down by Joao Miranda. He screams for a foul to be given, but the referee isn't at all interested and waves play on.
74'
M. Vecino gets yellow.
Inter lose the ball deep inside the Benevento half of the pitch and gift the home side with a great opportunity to counter-attack quickly. D'Alessandro storms towards the halfway line, but he ends up being cynically fouled from behind by Vecino, who's booked as a result.
72'
V. Parigini enters the game and replaces C. Lombardi.
It just isn't quite working for Inter at the moment. Once again they pile plenty of bodies forward in search of a third goal, but D'Ambroio's cross in from the right wing is poor and sails harmlessly behind for a goal-kick.
Benevento have made another switch, with Lombardi making way for Vittorio Parigini.
70'
Inter move the ball around nicely as they push forward, and they end up winning themselves a free-kick in a promising position over on the left. The set-piece fails to result in a chance on goal though, as Chibsah is there to clear the danger at the near post.
68'
Miranda gets yellow.
Joao Miranda commits a clumsy challenge over on the right wing, earning himself a yellow card and giving away a free-kick in a promising position for the hosts. A curling cross is fired towards the near post, but it's slightly underhit and Inter can comfortably deal with the danger.
66'
R. Chibsah enters the game and replaces L. Memushaj.
Benevento have made their first switch of the afternoon, with Raman Chibsah coming on to take the place of Memushaj.
65'
Brozovic's chipped pass into the penalty area is poor, but Inter are able to keep the danger alive over on the right flank. Brozovic then swings a lovely cross right onto the head of Perisic, who does well to reach the ball but can't hit the target with his wayward headed effort.
64'
C. Lombardi gets yellow.
Lombardi charges into the back of Icardi and brings the Argentine crashing to the ground with a hefty sliding challenge, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a yellow card and award Inter a free-kick in a promising position.
63'
It hasn't been the best of games for Perisic, who is struggling to get into the game and find space over on the left flank. This time he just about manages to cut towards the box before crossing, but, under pressure, his curling pass fails to find Icardi in front of goal.
62'
Inter keep pushing back as they try to re-establish their two-goal lead. Both Icardi and Joao Mario shoot from 25 yards out, but the two efforts fail to penentrate the penalty area and are instead deflected away from danger by yellow and red shirts.
60'
Perisic patiently works his way down the left wing as he tries to carve out some space for himself, but he's closed down well by Venuti and has to settle for a throw-in. It's taken by Nagatomo, but a clumsy foul throw from the Japanese full-back gifts possession back to the home side.
58'
D'Alessandro hits the post! Lovely play by the home side sets up Lombardi to swing in an excellent cross from the right flank, and it's one that perfectly picks out D'Alessandro at the far post. He rises high and meets the ball with his head, but his downward header smashes the woodwork after beating Handanovic.
56'
Matias Vecino picks up the ball deep inside the Benevento half of the pitch and quickly tries to test Belec, but his long-range shot is poorly hit and the goalkeeper can watch it sail well wide of the goal.
54'
Luckily let off for Cristiano Lombardi! Sloppy defending from Inter almost sets up Lombardi to counter-attack down the right flank after he does well to put Nagatomo under pressure, but the forward ends up fouling the Japan international before he can get the ball under control.
52'
João Mário enters the game and replaces A. Candreva.
D'Alessandro cuts inside from the left wing on a marauding run before eventually being tripped over five or so yards outside of the Inter penalty area, resulting in a free-kick for Benevento in a promising position. Viola steps up and curls a cross into the heart of the box, but there are plenty of black and blue shirts back to deal with the danger.
51'
Inter have made their first alteration of the game, with Candreva, who looks to have picked up a slight injury, making way for Joao Mario.
50'
An underhit pass from Memushaj rolls straight to Brozovic and gifts the Inter midfielder with a great opportunity to counter-attack, but Nicolas Viola is there to quickly dispossess the Croatian before he can make decent contact with the ball.
48'
Valero wins the ball back from Iemmello in the middle of the pitch and quickly thumps a lofted pass up towards Brozovic. The Croatian tries to latch onto the ball on the edge of the Benevento box, but Berat Djimsiti is there to deal with the danger without too many problems.
46'
We're underway once again!
45'
The ball pinballs dangerously around the Benevento box as several Inter players try, and fail, to get shots away. It eventually rolls out to Valero, who unleashes a dangerous strike from the right channel that flies a few yards wide of the far post.
44'
Costa clumsily barges into Brozovic just inside the Benevento half of the pitch, resulting in him becoming the latest player to receive a yellow card.
43'
A. Costa gets yellow.
42'
M. D'Alessandro has scored a goal for Benevento! Assist by P. Iemmello.
That was really good play by Iemmello, who linked up nicely with D'Alessandro. They've arguably been Benevento's two best players so far, with the winger looking particularly impressive over on the left.
GOAL! Benevento have pulled one back! The Inter defence fall asleep, allowing Iemmello to charge through the middle of the pitch completely unopposed. He heads towards the penalty area before teeing up D'Alessandro, who, all alone inside the box, easily beats Handanovic with a low strike into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
40'
Iemmello is almost presented with an excellent opportunity to get on the end of a lovely ball into the box from Lorenzo Venuti, but Skriniar does really well to get the better of the striker before heading the ball away from danger.
38'
Valero is on thin ice! It looks as if the Spaniard cynically trips D'Alessandro to the ground as the speedy winger tries to break away quickly, but the refereee waves play on and keeps his cards in his pocket. Valero has already received a booking, so he has to be careful not to get another.
36'
An attempted cross in from the right flank by Memushaj is quickly charged down, but the Albanian is presented with another opportunity find a team-mate inside the penalty area. He pokes a low pass towards the near post, but it's overhit and rolls behind for a goal-kick.
34'
Icardi scores, but it's ruled out for offside! Brozovic is left alone outside of the hosts' box and easily manages to poke a pass through to Icardi. The Argentine runs onto the ball and easily beats Belec with his low strike, but the linesman's flag is raised as soon as he starts to celebrate.
33'
Great chance for Icardi to make it 3-0! A low cross from D'Ambrosio flies into the heart of the Benevento penalty area and finds Icardi. The striker sticks out a foot and manages to meet the ball ahead of Belec, but the Slovenian is just about able to get a foot on the first-time effort.
31'
Borja Valero gets yellow.
A clumsy challenge from Borja Valero denies the home side an opportunity to counter-attack one again, and it's earns him the first yellow card of the game.
29'
What a chance for Benevento to get back into the game! Slightly sloppy play from Inter allows Marco D'Alessandro to break away on a blisteringly quick counter-attack down the left wing. He gets the better of Skriniar and cuts into the box before shooting, but his low strike is tipped round the far post by Handanovic's fingertips.
27'
Perisic bursts down the left flank and does well to win his side a corner. It's sent short and worked around quickly before the Croatian eventually whips in a cross, but it's overhit and sails out for a throw-in over on the right wing.
25'
Ledian Memushaj hits the crossbar! Space opens up for the Albanian in the middle of the pitch and allows him to unleash a rocket of a shot, but it ends up smashing the woodwork after beating the fingertips of Samir Handanovic. The ball then falls to Iemmello, who quickly pokes it into the back of the net but has his goal ruled out for offside.
24'
Nagatomo almost gifts Benevento with a great chance to get back into the game after his cross-field pass is picked up by Iemmello, but Milan Skriniar is there to dispossess the striker from behind before he can get a shot away from the edge of the box.
22'
M. Brozović has scored a goal for Inter Milan!
GOAL! Yes, they can! Brozovic steps up and curls a beautiful strike past the outstretched limbs of Belec and into the top right-hand corner of the net. Sublime from the Croatian!
21'
Inter quickly win the ball back from the restart and push forward on another determined attacking move. Brozovic gets himself into a good position just outside of the hosts' penalty area and tries to shoot, but he's brought down by a crunching challenge from Costa and has to settle for a free-kick in a dangerous position. Can they make it count?
19'
M. Brozović has scored a goal for Inter Milan! Assist by A. Candreva.
GOAL! Inter have taken the lead! Candreva twists and turns over on the left-hand side of the Benevento box as he easily gets the better of his marker. He then chips a beautiful cross right onto the head of Brozovic, who easily beats Belec with a bullet header.
That was really great play by Candreva. He's been a real handful for the Benevento defenders, who have struggled to deal with his trickery when cutting inside.
17'
Decent strike by Antonio Candreva! The winger cuts inside from the right flank and manages to carve out a pocket of space for himself 25 yards out. He then unleashes a thumping shot that flies towards the near post, but Belec is equal to it with a smart save.
15'
Good play by Inter in the middle of the pitch sets up Mauro Icardi to spin and shoot just outside of the Benevento box, but Andrea Costa is there to dispossess the Argentine but a firm but fair tackle from behind.
13'
Brozovic is dispossessed on the edge of the Benevento penalty area, allowing the home side to counter-attack quickly. They initially manage to get forward swiftly before Danilo Cataldi shoots from 25 yards out, but his strike is easily charged down on the edge of the penalty area.
11'
Brozovic is bundled over deep down the left flank, resulting in a free-kick for Inter in a promising position. The Croatian steps up and unleashes a curling cross-cum-shot, but Belec is equal to it and manages to punch the ball away from danger.
9'
Danilo D'Ambrosio slips into the right-hand side of the Benevento box and manages to get a shot away, but it's deflected wide of the far post and behind for a corner that the home side are just about able to deal with.
7'
Chance for Brozovic! Space opens up in the middle of the potch for the Croatian, allowing him to dart forward on a marauding run. He gets away from two Benevento players before eventually shooting, but he loses his footing at the last possible moment and ends up firing his effort straight into the hands of Vid Belec.
5'
Benevento have seen a decent amount of the ball so far, but, as has been the case in most of their games this season, they're struggling to do much with it. They're constantly punting hopeful passes up towards Pietro Iemmello, who is all alone inside the visitors' half of the pitch.
3'
After an even start to the game from both sides, Inter are able to win the first corner of the afternoon over on the right flank. It's swung in low by Marcelo Brozovic and picks out Joao Miranda, who quickly shoots from the near post but can only find the side-netting with his first-time strike.
1'
We're off! Benevento get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Serie A game between Benevento and Inter at the Stadio Ciro Vigorito.
It’s been an impressive start to the season for Inter, who are yet to be beaten with six games having been completed. It’s a positive opening period that has left them just two points behind reigning champions Juventus, and they’ll be confident about their chances of beating a Benevento side that remain rock bottom of the table without a single point to their name.
Defensive issues were a real concern for Inter for most of last season, but Luciano Spalletti’s arrival at the club - as well as the acquisition of Milan Skriniar - seems to have made those problems a thing of the past. What’s been most impressive about the Nerazzurri’s start to the campaign are the victories against Roma and Fiorentina, showing just how strong a side Spalletti has at his disposal.
As for Benevento, their first season in the top flight couldn’t have got off to a worse start. The newly promoted side have lost all of their opening six games, and during that time they’ve only managed to find the back of the net once while shipping 15 goals. They head into today’s clash on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Crotone - a game they really should have taken something from.
This afternoon could prove to be another really tough one for Benevento, who have already suffered 4-0 and 6-0 thrashings at the hands of Napoli and Roma, respectively. Inter will be firmly aiming to score as many goals as possible as they attempt to close the gap between themselves and the high-flying Partenopei, who comfortably beat Cagliari 3-0 earlier today.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Inter XI (4-2-3-1): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, Joao Miranda, Nagatomo; Vecino, Valero; Candreva, Brozovic, Perisic; Icardi.
Marco Baroni has decided to make five changes to the Benevento side that started the defeat against Crotone last weekend, with Berat Djimsiti, Gaetano Letizia, Nicolas Viola, Marco D’Alessandro and Pietro Iemmello coming into the starting line-up to replace Andrew Gravillon, Gianluca Di Chiara, Achraf Lazaar, George Puscas and Massimo Coda.
Meanwhile, Inter boss Luciano Spalletti has made just one alteration to the team that featured in their last outing, with Dalbert Henrique making way for Yuto Nagatomo at left-back.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: BENEVENTO 1-2 INTER
Well, well, well... Who would've thought that the team who had only scored once before this weekend would find their second goal of the season against the team with the best defensive record? Inter enjoyed a very comfortable opening 40 minutes in which they were barely tested by the home side, but Benevento finally managed to find a way back into the game through D'Alessandro, who has easily been their best player so far.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: BENEVENTO 1-2 INTER
As was the case last weekend, Inter weren't quite at their best this afternoon but nonetheless are able to leave with three more points, keeping them unbeaten for yet another game. Benevento were thoroughly impressive during a second half in which they did well to put the Nerazzurri back line under plenty of pressure, but, despite their best efforts, they just couldn't find that all-important equaliser, leaving them without a single point at the bottom of the Serie A table.
Commentary
More…