Inter win at Venezia with fewer shots than usual

Inter beat Venezia 2-0 with more of the ball but fewer chances than they usually create, while Venezia had a goal ruled out and still left with nothing.

Venezia had a goal taken away in the 29th minute. Lion Lauberbach scored, but VAR, the video check that reviews goals, cancelled it, and the home side went in at half-time with nothing to show for their efforts. Inter went on to win, with goals in the 79th and 82nd minutes settling the afternoon.

Inter had more of the ball than they usually do on the road. Their share was 67%, against an away average of 62.9%, so they kept possession in a way that suits how they normally play. The ball did not turn into shots, though, as they took 16 shots against an away average of 22.5.

Expected goals, or xG, is a way of scoring each chance by how likely it was to go in, based on where and how it was taken. Inter's total was 2.08, below the 2.56 they usually reach away from home. Fewer chances, and slightly less promising ones, produced the two goals they needed.

Venezia were the reverse on the ball. They had 33% of possession, well short of their home average of 54.3%, and their 12 shots were also below the usual 14.4. Their chances were still of reasonable quality, with five efforts inside the box and an xG above their home average of 1.39. Yet they failed to score, where they normally manage 0.8 goals a match at home.

Inter's defensive record is where the afternoon was most in their favour. Venezia's chances carried an xG of 1.53, roughly double the 0.76 Inter usually concede away from home, so the visitors allowed more quality than normal. Inter still kept a clean sheet, against their usual 1.3 goals conceded on the road. The match had two goals in it, against a league average of 3.1 per game, which tells you how quiet the scoreboard was.

Carlos Augusto was the Inter player who did most in the duels, winning nine of them and taking three shots, which earned him a rating of 7.9. Provedel made four saves to keep the clean sheet intact, and Zieliński supplied three key passes, a figure that says more about his role than any single moment would. Kike Pérez was Venezia's most active attacker, with three shots before he was replaced.

Venezia sit 20th after eight matches, with three points and one win, and they have won only once in their last six. Inter are second with 22 points, seven wins, one draw and no defeats in eight away games, and they have scored 23 goals in their away matches. Inter have not lost away this season, and Venezia have won once in eight.

Player of the matchCarlos Augusto2 chances created7.9

I. Provedel4 saves7.8

P. Zieliński3 chances created7.6

P. Sučić1 chance created7.5