Inter Milan Vs. Genoa, 2012 Serie A: Mental Match Ends 5-4 In Favor Of Inter

Nine goals. Four penalties. Two red cards. Comeback after comeback for the visitors. It's surprising, really, that Andrea Stramaccioni's heart survived his first match on the Inter Milan bench. After the hosts took a 3-0 lead in the first 40 minutes, Genoa came back fighting. The grifoni never managed to catch up, but they gave us all a thriller, resulting in a 5-4 win for Inter.

Diego Milito turned the screws against his former club. For his first goal, in the 13th minute, Milito comfortably headed in a lovely cross from Diego Forlan. The second took advantage of Genoa's horrific defending, which allowed the Argentine to go one on one against Sebastien Frey. Milito then turned the reigns to his compatriot, with Walter Samuel knocking in a ball from Lucio to make it 3-0.

Rodrigo Palacio made it 3-2 from the spot after the ball collided with Javier Zanetti's arm inside the box. Inter gained a little breathing space, courtesy of a beauty of a Mauro Zárate goal in the 74th minute. His curving shot snuggled past Frey's hand and settled into the far corner of the net, giving the hosts a 4-2 advantage.

Then the meltdown began. Julio Cesar, rattled by Palacio going clear on goal, tripped the Genoa forward. The red card was shown and this time it was Alberto Gilardino who converted the penalty. Five minutes later, it was Genoa who were down to ten men. Although Fernando Belluschi's tackle on Fredy Guarin appeared to be clean, he was shown the red card. Milito stepped up to the spot, bagging his hat-trick and giving Inter the 5-3 lead.