Luciano Spalletti admits Inter “should’ve been a little more inventive to pick the lock earlier,” but was content with a 3-0 win over Bologna.

It took until the 67th minute to break down the door at the Stadio Dall’Ara, but eventually Radja Nainggolan, Antonio Candreva and Ivan Perisic secured a 3-0 rout.

Luciano Spalletti admits Inter “should’ve been a little more inventive to pick the lock earlier,” but was content with a 3-0 win over Bologna.

It took until the 67th minute to break down the door at the Stadio Dall’Ara, but eventually Radja Nainggolan, Antonio Candreva and Ivan Perisic secured a 3-0 rout.

“There were three beautiful goals and the team shook off the tension, as after the opener, Bologna opened up the spaces and tried to attack us,” explained Spalletti to Sky Sport Italia.

“There was the risk that dominating possession and passing it around to seek a space would end up allowing them a dangerous counter-attack. Fortunately, it hardly ever happened.

“We should’ve been a little more inventive, creative and had more quality in the final third to pick the lock earlier.”

This was Inter’s first victory of the season after a defeat at Sassuolo and 2-2 draw with Torino.

“With players of this talent, we need to win games. Of course, we know from our past that it doesn’t necessarily translate that way. We must find our balance and ignore everything around us to get the results.

“What we must do against such defensive sides is to control the ball well, crowd around them in the area of the ball and support the moves in the final third.

“There are many advantages to be taken in these situations and we didn’t take them. There is always the danger with Bologna that they will aim to counter. It’s true they allowed us to come forward, but the fact they did that meant we couldn’t get in behind them and cause real problems.

“Some of our players need to find their fitness levels, as you need quality and names to win, but also hard work and sweat on the field.”

Inter achieved this win without injured Mauro Icardi, while Lautaro Martinez was also not fully fit, so Keita Balde Diao was an unexpected centre-forward.

“Lautaro was already a risk anyway, as the muscle was hardened and playing him would risk an injury. We went with this option of Keita, who can play that role. He takes different characteristics to it, but can play there.

“This passing between the full-backs and midfielders to spread Bologna open should’ve been done quicker and with the ball placed behind their defence.

“It’s true we weren’t very incisive, but we were organised and when losing the ball, we jumped straight back on them to prevent Bologna from countering. As the game went on, we wore them down.”

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