Pio Esposito scores twice against France as Inter’s striker options thin out
Pio Esposito scored twice, including a 75th-minute penalty, as Italy came from behind to beat France 3-1 at San Siro. He returns to an Inter attack missing or doubting its other forwards, with Atalanta up first.
Pio Esposito heads back to Inter with a two-goal night against France behind him. Italy fell behind to a 10th-minute goal from Olise at San Siro. Esposito leveled the game in the 26th minute. Frattesi put Italy ahead in the 63rd. Esposito then settled it from the penalty spot in the 75th.
It was his first two-goal game for Italy. Taking the penalty came with “an extra responsibility,” he said after the match.
The result was Italy’s first home win over France since 1962. It also took Italy level with France on ten points at the top of the group, UEFA reported.
All four Inter players in the squad featured. Nicolò Barella started in midfield and was replaced by Ricci in stoppage time. Federico Dimarco came off the bench in the 61st minute, replacing Cambiaghi.
Esposito’s form arrives with Inter’s other strikers still recovering
The timing matters for Inter. Marcus Thuram has a hamstring problem. He has been training on his own, and Chivu hopes he can rejoin the group next week, Goal reported. Lautaro has been out since October 13 and is aiming for the Atalanta game. Bonny faces about a month out.
That leaves Esposito as the forward in form. His display against France came against a side level with Italy on points. Two goals and a penalty taken under pressure point to a player ready for a bigger role at club level.
There is one caution. Esposito was booked against France and is now one booking from an international ban. That applies to Italy, not to Inter’s schedule.
Bastoni’s ban means fewer minutes before Atalanta
For Inter, the suspension has an upside. One of their key defenders returns with less mileage in his legs.
The extra rest comes ahead of a heavy stretch. The trip to Atalanta in Serie A Matchday 12 is followed three days later by a home game against Stuttgart on Wednesday, November 25, at 21:00 CET in Champions League Matchday 5. Genoa visit on November 28.
Barella and Dimarco also come back from a game in which both played. Dimarco’s minutes were limited after he started on the bench. Barella went almost the full match before his late substitution.
Esposito’s sharpness could shape the opening games after the break. Inter play nine matches across four competitions in 31 days between the end of the break and December 22.
