Inter received a massive boost in their Scudetto defense as they beat Roma 3-1 in Milan today. The Nerazzurri were 2-0 up by the break thanks to goals from Denzel Dumfries and Marcelo Brozovic. They found a third early in the second half thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s header. Roma did manage to pull one back through Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s shot.
However, the day belonged to Inter and they broke Roma’s 12-match unbeaten run to salvage a valuable victory.
Starting XIs: Dzeko, Dumfries Back for Inter, Roma Make Two Changes
Inter made three changes from their Coppa Italia victory over Milan with Federico Dimarco replacing Alessandro Bastoni at the back. Dumfries was back in the lineup at the expense of Matteo Darmian while Edin Dzeko started in place of Joaquin Correa.
Roma made a couple of changes with Mkhitaryan and Stephan El Shaarawy replacing Bryan Cristante and Nicolò Zaniolo respectively.
Dumfries and Brozovic Put Inter 2-0 Up
Neither side looked to trouble the other’s defense during the first 15 minutes. Hakan Calhanoglu had the first good chance of the match as he shot from distance. However, Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio was able to stop it. Just minutes later, Mkhitaryan took a shot at goal from distance but it was wide.
Roma had a very good chance to open the scoring after Gianluca Mancini headed from Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free-kick. However, it was just wide. Shortly after that, Inter opened the scoring after Hakan Calhanoglu’s fine pass found Dumfries who found the net.
The Nerazzurri doubled their lead through Brozovic. The Croatian was at the end of Ivan Perisic’s pass and dribbled past a couple of Roma players before finding the net with a right-footed screamer.
Both Sides Score as Inter Win 3-1
Roma were keen to find their way back into the match but Inter extended their lead further after Martinez headed in from a corner. This was the Argentine’s 15th Serie A goal and his 19th of the season. Roma were looking to pull one back with Pellegrini taking a few shots on goal. However, they could not find the net.
The Giallorossi eventually found their equalizer in the 85th minute thanks to Mkhitaryan’s shot. However, it turned out to be a mere consolation as Inter managed to hold on to their lead.
It was a fine display from the Nerazzurri and they were deserved winners. They cashed in on their scoring chances while being rigid at the back to deny Roma. Inter are now at the top of the Serie A table, one point above rivals Milan while Roma remain fifth in the standings. They are five points behind Juventus who have a game in hand.
What’s Next for Inter and Roma
Inter travel to Bologna on Wednesday for their fixture against the Rossoblu. Given their current form, the Nerazzurri will be heavily favored to win the match and seal three points. Roma travel to Leicester for the first leg of the Conference League semifinal tie against Leicester City. The Foxes have not been in the best of form in the Premier League but the Giallorossi will not have it easy against them.
MATCH SCORECARD
April 23, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Matchday 34
INTER – ROMA 3-1
SCORERS: 30′ Dumfries (I), 40′ Brozovic (I), 52′ Lautaro Martinez (I), 85′ Mkhitaryan (R)
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INTER (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, De Vrij (46′ D’Ambrosio), Dimarco (66” Bastoni); Dumfries, Barella (66′ Vidal), Brozovic (82′ Vecino), Calhanoglu (84′ Gagliardini), Perisic; Lautaro Martinez, Dzeko (Cordaz, Radu Sanchez, Vecino, Ranocchia, Darmian, Caicedo) Coach: S. Inzaghi |
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ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibañez; Karsdorp, S. Oliveira (80′ Bove), Mkhitaryan, Zalewski (78′ Viña); Lo. Pellegrini (64′ Veretout), El Shaarawy (64′ Carles Perez); Abraham (78′ Shomurodov) (Boer, Maitland-Niles, Kumbulla, Spinazzola, Diawara, Darboe, Afena-Gyan) Coach: Mourinho |
REFEREE: Mr. Sozza from Seregno
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Dumfries (I), Brozovic (I); Added Time: 1st Half 1′, 2nd Half 3′