Genoa 0-4 Inter Milan: Mauro Icardi scores on return from exile as controversial striker caps first game since February with win Mauro Icardi has been in heated dispute with club and refused to play He then claimed he was injured but finally returned to the team on Wednesday Argentine striker registered on the scoresheet as Inter Milan beat 10-man Genoa Icardi won and converted a penalty and will hope to put the dispute behind himBy Reuters Reporter Published: 22:51 BST, 3 April 2019 | Updated: 22:55 BST, 3 April 2019 Viewcomments Mauro Icardi scored on his first Inter Milan appearance in almost two months to help his side extend their lead in third place with a 4-0 Serie A win away to 10-man Genoa on Wednesday. The Argentine had not featured since being stripped of the captaincy on February 13 amid protracted contract renewal talks. Icardi initially said he could not play because of a knee problem. Mauro Icardi made his first start for Inter Milan since February 13 and scored The Argentine international won a penalty and then converted it to double the lead But he returned to training last week after negotiations between his lawyer and the club. Roberto Gagliardini opened the scoring in the first half before Icardi won and converted a penalty after Genoa defender Cristian Romero was sent off. The former Inter captain then teed up Ivan Perisic for their third in the second half and Gagliardini scored his second of the night to complete the rout. Despite the friction in recent weeks, Icardi was congratulated by his Inter team-mates The result leaves Inter four points clear of fourth-placed rivals AC Milan, while Genoa remain 12th on 33 points. Prior to the game, Inter boss Luciano Spalletti had said of Icardi: 'For us, he's a player to follow if he is one metre ahead. We're stronger with him now. Whoever says we're weaker are against us. 'The case is closed in all respects. Now he needs to train, sweat, smell the grass and not talk through other people.' All eyes were on Luciano Spalletti and Icardi as the striker left the pitch on Wednesday Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility