Inter Milan slump continues with shock defeat at Crotone

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:45 am

Inter Milan's hopes of qualifying for Europe were dented when they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Crotone.

Inter's dreams of making it into the Champions League were already over but the Nerazzurri now face the prospect of failing to qualify for the Europa League following a first-half double from Diego Falcinelli.

Inter slipped to seventh, two points behind AC Milan and the last qualifying spot for the Europa League, following the Rossoneri's win against Palermo.

Crotone gave themselves hope of escaping relegation as they moved to within three points of 17th-placed Empoli with a second successive victory.

Crotone players celebrate following their unexpected Serie A win against Inter Milan.
Crotone players celebrate following their unexpected Serie A win against Inter Milan.
Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Crotone took a deserved lead in the 18th minute when Gary Medel handled in the area and Falcinelli drilled the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner. Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic guessed the right way but could not make the save.

Falcinelli doubled his tally four minutes later as he narrowly avoided being caught offside, sprinted forward and lifted the ball over Handanovic.

It was almost 3-0 shortly before half-time but Joao Miranda stopped Marcus Rohden's goalbound effort with his chest near the goalline.

Inter got back into the match in the 65th. Ever Banega's corner was nodded on by Geoffrey Kondogbia for Danilo D'Ambrosio to volley in from close range.

The visitors almost levelled seven minutes later but Eder's effort rebounded off the inside of an upright.

Inter poured forward but Crotone held on through a tense seven minutes of stoppage time before the final whistle sparked scenes of celebration at the Stadio Scida.