Inter coach De Boer blasts heedless Kondogbia

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan’s Geoffrey Kondogbia paid the price for blanking coach Frank De Boer’s instructions with an early exit as Bologna held the misfiring Nerazzurri to a 1-1 draw Sunday.

French midfielder Kondogbia was kept out of Inter’s starting line-up on several occasions last season by former coach Roberto Mancini as he struggled to adapt to the game in Italy.

And the 23-year-old, signed from Monaco on a five-year deal worth 31mn euros ($35mn) in June 2015, has already felt the wrath of De Boer.

Kondogbia lost possession in midfield to spark the counter-attack that led to Mattia Destro’s 14th minute opener.

Kondogbia was hauled off and replaced by Assane Gnoukouri on 28 minutes.

Less than 10 minutes later, Ivan Perisic equalised with a superb volley but Inter, who saw Andrea Ranocchia head a late chance wide, dropped two precious points to sit four behind leaders Juventus.

“When a player doesn’t want to understand…,” said De Boer to explain Kondogbia’s substitution. 

“This morning we spoke, but it seems he doesn’t want to listen. It’s not the first time that we speak to him about this.”

Inter, up to third, are one point ahead of Roma, Lazio and surprise packages Chievo and Bologna.