Inter Milan Close In on Serie A Title with Emphatic Victory Over Roma

Inter Milan moved a significant step closer to securing the Serie A title after a commanding 5-2 victory over AS Roma on Sunday, ending a brief dip in form and extending their lead at the top of the table to nine points.

Their nearest challengers, AC Milan, are set to face reigning champions SSC Napoli on Monday, with both sides still hoping to mount a late challenge to deny Inter a 21st league title.

Inter’s resurgence was inspired by the return of captain Lautaro Martínez, who marked his comeback from injury with two goals after nearly two months on the sidelines. Marcus Thuram also played a pivotal role, scoring his first club goal since early February as the hosts produced a dominant display to halt a recent mini-slump.

Prior to Martínez’s return, Inter had managed just eight points from five league matches following his calf injury sustained in a UEFA Champions League clash with FK Bodø/Glimt.

“Tonight was a big match for us—we had to show the right attitude and personality,” Martínez said. “I’m delighted for my team-mates because it was a victory we fully deserved.”

Further goals from Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Nicolò Barella ensured a comprehensive win, dealing a significant blow to Roma’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Roma currently sit sixth, three points behind fourth-placed Como 1907, who face Udinese Calcio on Monday, and level on points with fifth-placed Juventus F.C. ahead of their fixture against Genoa C.F.C..

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini reflected on the defeat, acknowledging the quality of the opposition.

“It was a game of two halves. I saw many positive aspects in the first, even if the final result suggests otherwise,” he said. “Losing in Milan to this Inter side can happen, though not ideally by such a margin.”

Inter demonstrated their attacking intent from the outset at San Siro, with Martínez opening the scoring inside the first minute after being set up by Thuram.

Although Gianluca Mancini briefly brought Roma level with a header in the 40th minute, Çalhanoğlu restored Inter’s advantage just before half-time with a powerful long-range strike from over 30 metres.

The goal proved decisive, as Inter carried their momentum into the second half. Martínez extended the lead in the 52nd minute—his 16th league goal of the season—before Thuram added a fourth moments later with a well-placed header from a Çalhanoğlu corner.

Barella capitalised on defensive errors to score Inter’s fifth shortly after the hour mark, effectively sealing the result. A low finish from Lorenzo Pellegrini in the 70th minute offered little more than consolation for the visitors.

Elsewhere, at the bottom end of the table, US Cremonese slipped into the relegation zone following a 2-1 defeat to Bologna FC 1909, while Pisa SC edged closer to relegation after a 1-0 home loss to Torino FC.