Marcus Thuram’s late goal led Inter Milan to a first Serie A home win in three matches. I Nerazzurri had several quality chances in both halves but were generally frustrated by Roma’s low block. However, with ten minutes remaining, Thuram was left unmarked to drive in Dimarco’s low cross. It was a deserved victory that helped Simone’s to a third consecutive win.
Roma came to the San Siro without boss Jose Mourinho due to his touchline ban for taunting the Monza bench last week. Yet, the Giallorossi’s setup was nearly a vintage Mourinho snatch-and-grab. The visitors rarely got out of their half and, despite their lack of threat going forward, Bryan Cristante went close to scoring, only to be repelled by Yann Sommer.
Inter’s Fast Start Prevented as Roma Frustrate
Simone Inzaghi’s decision to make four changes for the Roma clash appeared to give his Inter side a freshness in the opening stages
Following an edgy 2-1 Champions League win over Salzburg in mid-wee, I Nerazzurri were more urgent in their Serie A return. Soon, the hosts grasped control early on and the matchwinner against Salzburg Hakan Çalhanoğlu almost opened the scoring six minutes in. His fierce shot from 20 yards was heading for the top corner before smashing the crossbar and bouncing off the line.
Roma also saw some fresh faces in their starting lineup with just two days of recovery time from a 2-0 win over Sparta Prague on Thursday evening. I Giallorossi number one Rui Patrício was back between the sticks and he was forced into action early on, denying Marcus Thuram’s poked finish from inside the six-yard box.
The opening 20 minutes were all Inter and the hosts looked in top form. Next, it was Federico Dimarco’s chance to try his luck with an outside-of-the-boot finish that flashed wide after some silky footwork and vision from Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the edge of the box to set through his teammate.
A few early scares forced Roma to regroup and settle into a low block. But the visitors ultimately gave up any attacking threat to keep their defensive stability, with Romelu Lukaku and Stephan El Shaarawy limited to few touches. Although, the highly anticipated first Lukaku touch came just inside his own half to a deafening chorus of San Siro boos.
Inter struggled for more quality chances late in the half. Benjamin Pavard had a good opportunity to strike from ten yards but scuffed his attempt. Then Nicolo Barella snatched at a volley on the stroke of half time, leaving the scores level.
Roma Almost Stun the San Siro
More Inter frustrations in front of goal came after the break. Çalhanoğlu’s inviting free-kick found Thuram at the back post but the French international mis-timed his finish, sending the ball just over the crossbar. Lautaro Martínez also tried his luck after the restart with a long-range effort that Patrício held comfortably.
Suddenly, Roma looked dangerous and looked like they could snatch an unlikely opener. El Shaarawy started the Roma impetus with a direct run and drew a foul on the edge of the Inter area. Bryan Cristante then had one of the best chances of the game with a thunderous header that a full-stretch Yann Sommer tipped to safety.
Seconds later, I Nerazzurri were on the attack and created a counter-attack, three-on-three situation. The attack ended with Çalhanoğlu firing towards goal from 25 yards and the strike took a huge deflection, left Patrício helpless on the floor and bounced agonisingly wide for Inter.
Nothing Falling for Nerazzurri
The last 15 minutes were all Inter yet again and the hosts continued to create chances, without success though. Substitute Kristjan Asllani was close to making an impact as his swerving shot zipped past the post.
In a late change of tactic, Inter started to probe the wide areas with much greater frequency and Simone’s side were sending plenty of dangerous crosses into the box. The approach paid off with ten minutes remaining when Dimarco’s inch-perfect cross was met by the onrushing Thuram for a simple tap-in.
One-way traffic continued until the final whistle and Carlos Augusto rattled the woodwork in injury time with a thunderous strike that cannoned off the crossbar.