Lautaro Martinez is back – and Inter Milan are immediately back in title form. The striker scored twice in the 5:2 (2:1) win against AS Roma and shot his team even closer to the championship in the Italian Serie A.
Inter had previously had to play seven games without Martinez and only won two games during this phase – and it immediately became clear how important his comeback is for the league leaders. Only 60 seconds had passed on his return when Martinez made it 1-0 with his 15th goal of the season. The Inter-Knipser took advantage of strong preparatory work from Marcus Thuram from six meters.
However, Milan were not yet satisfied with this lightning start, Hakan Calhanoglu and Federico di Marco missed the double chance for the second goal a little later (6th), after which Martinez failed with his shot into the near corner by Mile Svilar, who made a strong save (13th).
Roma makes the comeback, then Calhanoglu lets it pop
Afterwards, Roma got much better, repeatedly played their way through the Inter defense from the outside and was also dangerous from set pieces. Yann Sommer was able to fend off Donyell Malen’s header after a free-kick cross (24′), but the former Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper had no chance when Devyne Rensch served the ball perfectly to Gianluca Mancini, who equalized with a header (40′).
The first half began with an early Inter highlight – and it ended with a dream goal from Milan. In the second minute of added time, Calhanoglu was given a lot of space 30 meters in front of the opponent’s goal and thus had the opportunity to show that he is one of the best long-range shooters in professional football. His shot fluttered at hellish speed, Svilar flew but had absolutely no chance (45th + 2).
Martinez again, then it becomes really clear
And this thunderclap had a huge reverberation – because after the break, Roma fell apart. Inter decided the game early with three goals in eleven minutes, Martinez scored a brace after another Thuram preparatory work (52′), then the Frenchman scored himself after a corner (55′), Nicolo Barella then caused a Roman debacle in Milan (63′).
It became a little more forgiving because Lorenzo Pellegrini reduced the score to 2:5 (70′) and Inter missed several chances to score more goals, but that didn’t change the heavy defeat. It was a bitter setback for Rome in the fight for fourth place, the gap to Como 1907, which occupies the last place in the Champions League, is still three points – but both Como and Juventus Turin (equal on points with Roma) are still playing on Easter Monday.
This also applies to Inter’s pursuers, but the winner of the direct duel between SSC Napoli and AC Milan (Sunday, 8:45 p.m.) will still be a long way behind. For now, the “Nerrazurri” have managed to build their lead to nine points, and the 2024 champions also have by far the best goal difference. There are already so many signs that Inter will hardly be able to take the title away.
