Inter Milan bounced back strongly after the international break and put their recent weak spell behind them. Roma, who equalized 1:1 in the meantime and went down 5:2, had to bleed in the process.
Inter had sorely missed Lautaro Martinez since the thrilling 3-2 win over Juventus in mid-February, as both the surprising and embarrassing Champions League exit against Bodö/Glimt and the recent Serie A slump with just two points from three games coincided with his muscle injury.
On Easter Sunday, however, the Argentine 2022 World Cup winner made his return for the 31st matchday, making the starting eleven and netting in the first minute. The visitors from Rome were not yet awake, Ndicka allowed the dribbling Thuram to drift away and serve for Lautaro. He scored directly from close range to make it 1:0.
Curious: Although the target man had been absent for some time, he was still the top scorer in the Italian top flight. The Nerazzurri captain now had 15 goals in 26 league appearances, with Como’s Douvikas (eleven goals in 30 games) behind him at the time.
Mancini runs in, Calhanoglu thunders
The top-of-the-table clash at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium continued with a Calhanoglu shot that Svilar saved cleanly (5th) and a close-range effort from Italy red shirt Bastoni (7th). Lautaro also got back to Svilar (13). In short, the home side’s early lead was completely justified, with the game only going in one direction.
It was only after 24 minutes that the home side began to show their mettle, although they also got into the game well during this phase with more concentration and possession – including Malen’s finish against Sommer, who reacted well (24′). And after Zielinski (33), Barella, Dimarco and Zielinski again failed with their attempts to shoot (38), Roma managed to equalize. Soulé slipped the ball through for the onrushing Rensch before a fine chip into the center found the onrushing Mancini, who confidently finished with his head (40′).
But that was not the end of the story, because Milan produced something even more spectacular. Calhanoglu thundered the ball under the crossbar from over 30 meters – the ball was fluttering – to make it 2:1 (45.+2). A dream goal from the shooting expert and former Bundesliga professional.
Double from the returnee – and number four from Thuram
The opening goal gave the home side lasting motivation and they dominated the game immediately after the restart. The next success was not long in coming: Thuram picked off the weak defending of Rensch, fed Lautaro Martinez – and the leader finished via a chip in front of goalkeeper Svilar to make it 3:1 (52′). A short time later, Calhanoglu’s cross from a corner also found the free-standing Thuram, who powered a neat header to the right of the post to make it 4:1 (55′). The Romans, who, together with Como, had previously had the second-best defense behind Milan (22) in the Italian top flight, were accordingly served.
And made further mistakes, such as Ndicka, who unintentionally served the ball to the lurking Barella. The Italian international thanked him with the finish to make it 5:1 (63′), before the visitors were able to make the score 2:5 (70′) against Milan, who were no longer fully concentrated, after Malen’s run and Pellegrini’s low shot.
In the closing stages, the Nerazzurri could have pushed the score even higher, but failed to do so. Either way, Inter’s clear result confirmed first place in the table ahead of rivals Milan, while the Romans, who were actually on course for the Champions League, now have to fear for a European ticket. Uncomfortable times for new coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who was once again unable to put down a marker in a top match with his team.
