Leaders Inter Milan showed their class once again on Saturday. The Nerazzurri were behind at the break at AS Roma, but turned the game around thanks to two goals from Thuram
Since Daniele De Rossi took over at Roma, things have been going really well. The 4-0 win against Cagliari was the third league victory in a row for the new coach.
But Inter are of course also in very good form. The leaders recently celebrated a 1-0 home win in the top match against Juve and have now won their last four league games, with a Supercopa title in between. In fact, the Nerazzurri have only lost once in 22 games this season (18 wins, three draws).
Rome turn the game around against Inter
The game had barely begun when the home side created the first chance, but Sommer saved El Shaarawy’s shot from the top right corner (1st). After that, the match flattened out and the two teams kept their eyes on each other. And then, in the style of a top team, Inter were on the spot after a set-piece: Lukaku cleared into the penalty area on the left, where Acerbi made a quick switch and headed into the right-hand corner (17′). The goal stood, even after VAR intervention, as Thuram was offside but had not really impeded goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
Roma then needed a few minutes, but then also came back after a set-piece: Pellegrini’s free-kick caused the Inter backline to lose sight of Mancini, who headed in the equalizer (28′). So it looked like a draw at the break, but then the hosts countered again in a flash. Pellegrini drove the ball and then played it out to El Shaarawy on the left. His finish slipped over the instep and went in off the inside right post (44′).
Thuram scores twice
The lead for the Romans did not last long, however. Immediately after the break, Inter combined brilliantly to equalize: Barella found Darmian on the right, whose sharp cross was headed into the net by Thuram from close range (49′). The leaders were now on top and playing some really fine soccer. Via Dimarco and Mkhitaryan, the ball landed back in the five-man box for Thuram, who completed his brace and turned the game around (56′). Roma were now clearly outclassed and were lucky not to make it 2:4, Pavard only hitting the post (58′).
Roma really struggled against Inter’s strong defense after the break. However, the home side had a really good chance to equalize: Lukaku was through on goal after a long ball, but Sommer stole the ball off the striker’s foot (70′). Apart from that, the visitors defended everything cleanly, didn’t let anything else get in the way and closed the game out shortly before the end through Bastoni (90.+3). This was Inter’s 19th win of the season.
Roma face a challenge in the Europa League on Thursday (18:45), with the first leg of the knockout play-offs at Feyenoord Rotterdam. For the Nerazzurri, on the other hand, the action continues next Friday (9pm) with a home game against US Salernitana.
