A packed Stadio Olimpico would not go home happy on Saturday evening as Roma suffered a 2-0 defeat against Inter after goals from Federico Dimarco and Romelu Lukaku. The Giallorossi did not do enough to trouble the visitors throughout and now fall far behind in the race for a spot in the Champions League.
Dimarco Puts Inter Ahead
It was a fairly positive start to the game for the hosts as they made some nice combinations in the build-up. They threatened a little down the flanks early on but it was justly limited. Neither side were able to create much in the opening ten minutes but Roma did have the better of possession.
Lorenzo Pellegrini had a couple of off target efforts in the opening phases but failed to really trouble the goal of Inter ‘keeper Andre Onana. The visitors slowly worked themselves into the match as the opening period progressed but they struggled to threaten the Giallorossi. A long-range strike by Hakan Calhanoglu was able to yield an effort on target, nevertheless, but it was a comfortable stop for Rui Patricio.
However, it was Inter who managed to take the lead through Dimarco in the 33rd minute, finishing off a fine move following a cross from the right by opposite wing-back Denzel Dumfries. Marcelo Brozovic had played an exquisite through ball in the build-up for Dumfries before the Dutchman played a perfect cross across goal for the arriving Dimarco.
Roma tried to impose themselves more on the game after going a goal down but only really created a couple of half chances via set-pieces. Inter would go in at the break with just about a deserved lead.
Roma Push But to No Avail
The visitors looked fairly sharp soon after the restart and had a couple of attempts that ultimately failed to trouble the Roma goal. However, the home side did respond as they sought a way into the match, putting a bit more pressure on the Nerazzurri.
There were huge appeals around ten minutes into the second half after the ball struck Matteo Darmian’s hand as he went down to make a block. The Roma players surrounded referee Fabio Maresca but it would make no impact as VAR would only award a corner kick for the hosts. The resulting set-piece led to a fantastic strike by Roger Ibanez but Onana would tip the ball over the bar once more. Jose Mourinho’s side were piling on the pressure.
Lukau Doubles Nerazzurri Advantage
It would be Inter who managed to find the second goal of the match, though, after Lukaku was able to capitalize on a disastrous error by Ibanez. The Brazilian defender originally did well to intercept a ball from deep but was unable to deal with the danger fully, handing the ball to Lukaku to go one-on-one with Patricio. The Belgian forward, who has seen an upturn in form of late, slotted the ball home with a confident finish.
Substitute Lautaro Martinez would almost make it 3-0 for the visitors when Inter threatened on the counter once more but his curling effort would be kept out by the woodwork. Roma had the better of the play as the game headed towards the end but a poor finish from Mady Camara late on would epitomize a relatively poor display by the hosts.