Great show of strength from FC Internazionale in victory over AS Roma
Neroazurri overcome 2-1 halftime deficit to maintain lead atop Serie A standings
The match between AS Roma and FC Internazionale proved to be full of emotions and the Serie A leaders confirmed their splendid form with another important victory. On the other hand, AS Roma can only regret the result especially after their Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku wasting a truly favorable opportunity.
There was great anticipation heading into the Matchday 24 Roma-Inter clash.
AS Roma under the technical guidance of new coach Daniele De Rossi was on a three-game win streak, although against not particularly difficult opponents. Still, the team's form brought back serenity and enthusiasm after the dismissal of legendary coach José Mourinho. For their part, the Neroazzurri showed up in the capital city as league leaders on the strength of a 2024 that has started splendidly. Inter have won all their matches so far, in Serie A and in the Italian Supercup.
The game opened with a fast pace. Both teams faced each other openly without exaggerated tactics. Roma initially made itself more dangerous under the energetic push of the home fans but without FC Internazionale conceding counter-attacks.
Despite the greater push of the home team, the episode that broke the deadlock occurred in the 17th minute following a corner kick by the Neroazzurri. The cross by Federico Dimarco came to Romelu Lukaku whose clearance attempt ended up involuntarily serving up Roma defender Francesco Acerbi and he headed the ball giving it a truly treacherous trajectory past goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
However, the referee was called to VAR to evaluate the position of striker Marcus Thuram who was actually in front of all the other players at the exact moment in which his teammate Acerbi hit the ball was obstructing Rui Patricio. Despite the evidence, the referee considered his position completely irrelevant and awarded the goal.
AS Roma reacted splendidly. In particular, the Giallorossi captain Lorenzo Pellegrini was the protagonist, with his enlightening plays and passes, providing a half hour of pure class. In minute 28, he served up a splendid assist for teammate Gianluca Mancini who, with a powerful header, managed to beat Yann Sommer, bringing the match back to a draw.
In the 44th minute, Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini again led the counterattack and served an excellent ball to his teammate Stephan El Shaarawy who surprised the opposing goalkeeper with a close-range shot that hit the inside of the post and concluded the its trajectory on the net.
So a fun and intense first half of play ended with AS Roma taking the lead.
The teams' return to the field was immediately characterized by a great show of strength from the Neroazzurri who with greater determination and vigor took over the fate of the match while the Giallorossi were unable to adequately intervene.
In fact, it wasn't long before FC Internazionale found the equalizer in the 49th minute, surprising their opponents by quickly taking a free kick with the execution of a studied scheme that led to the striker Marcus Thuram's close-range shot after he had shaken off his marker.
In the 56th minute the Neroazzurri regained the lead again thanks to an unfortunate deflection (which brought to mind the incident that decided the big match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC on the previous matchday) by AS Roma's new signing Angelino. The Spanish fullback attempted to anticipate his opponent Marcus Thuram and instead ended up punishing his own goalkeeper.
In the 70th minute, striker Romelu Lukaku wasted a truly important opportunity to bring his team back on level terms. Once again it was Pellegrini who made a visionary pass that split the opposing defense in two and sent his attacker in all alone in front of goalkeeper Yann Sommer. However, the Belgian striker wasted the opportunity and flubbed his shot.
Subsequently, AS Roma tried everything they could to find the equalizer.
In the last 10 minutes of the match, however, the Giallorossi were no longer able to create significant actions and Inter controlled possession with relative calm, coming close to scoring when a long-range shot by Benjamin Pavard hit the post.
Subsequently, in the 93rd minute, the fourth goal was scored by defender Alessandro Bastoni who took advantage of the service of teammate Marko Arnautovic, how drew the defense to himself before getting rid of the ball and Bastoni knocked home the clincher.