On Saturday night, a fierce Serie A battle between AS Roma and Inter Milan took place at the Stadio Olimpico.
The match ended in a 1-0 victory for Inter, with Ange-Yohan Bony taking advantage of Roma’s high defensive line to score the only goal of the game in the 6th minute.
Line up and absentees
AS Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Miles Svillar in goal. The back three consisted of Zeki Celik on the right, Gianluca Mancini in the middle and Evan Ndicka on the left. Kostas Tsimikas and Wesley functioned as wing-backs, providing width and support in both phases. In midfield, Brian Cristante and Quadio Kone anchored the central position, while Mattias Sule and Tommaso Baldanzi played just behind striker Artem Dovvik, who led the final line.
Roma was without Edoardo Beauvais with a heart condition and Leon Bailey with a muscle injury, but both absences limited Roma’s attacking depth.
Inter Milan, coached by Cristian Chivu, lined up in a 3-5-2. Jan Sommer started in goal, protected by the defensive trio of Manuel Akanji, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni. Denzel Dumfries and Federico DiMarco provided width from the wingback positions. Davide Frattesi, Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were appointed in midfield, with Ange-Iohan Bony partnering Lautaro Martinez up front. Inter were without Marcus Thuram due to a thigh injury, giving Bony a chance to shine.
Match Summary: Game on the Margin
The match started with great intensity and it didn’t take long for Inter to score. In the 6th minute, Ange-Youan Bony received a through ball from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, ran behind Roma’s high defensive line with perfect timing and finished calmly, slotting the ball past Miles Svilar. The early goal surprised Roma and gave Inter confidence to sit deep and soak up the pressure.
Roma reacted with urgency, dominating possession (57%) and overloading Inter’s midfield by advancing through Matthias Sule and Tommaso Baldanzi and frequently streaming into central areas. The best chance of the first half came in the 32nd minute, when Artem Dobubuk met Tsimikas’ cross, but his header was deflected away by the in-form Jan Sommer.
In the second half, Roma increased their intensity. Paulo Dybala, brought on at half-time, added flair and unpredictability. In the 58th minute, he curled a shot from the edge of the box, but Sommer was forced to make a diving save. Roma had a great opportunity in the 72nd minute when Cristante hit the post due to a scramble inside the box.
Inter almost decided the match in the 84th minute when Mkhitaryan hit the wooden frame after a quick counter-attack. Roma had 15 shots on goal and Inter had 12, and despite a series of corner kicks in the final stages, the visiting team held firm. Thanks to Sommer’s five saves and Inter’s disciplined final line, the Nerazzurri left Roma with all three points.
Bonnie’s breakthrough moment
21-year-old Ange-Yoan Bony continues to impress. His goal was a textbook example of timing and composure, taking advantage of Roma’s aggressive defensive line. In Thuram’s absence, Bony stepped up, scoring in back-to-back games and proving he was more than just a substitute.
Bony’s movement and link-up play with Lautaro Martínez gave Inter a dynamic advantage in attack. His early goal not only secured victory, but also highlighted Kivu’s tactical flexibility.
Somers Wall in Galle
Inter’s veteran goalkeeper Jan Sommer was undoubtedly the man of the match. His reflexes and positioning were crucial in maintaining the lead, especially during Roma’s late surge.
Sommer’s leadership from the back allowed them to organize a defense that absorbed pressure without cracking. With five saves and a clean sheet, he reminded fans why experience matters in close games.
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Roma’s missed opportunity
Roma controlled the tempo and created chances, but lacked sharpness in the final third. Dybala and Sule showed flashes but lacked decisiveness.
Gasperini will be frustrated by his inability to convert his advantage into goals. The absence of Leon Bailey and Beauvais may have limited Roma’s attacking options, but there was still enough quality in the squad to give hope for more.
Kivu Tactical Maturity
Inter coach Cristian Chivu deserves praise for his game management. After the early goal, Inter moved into a more compact position, absorbing pressure and attacking Roma’s counterattacks.
Chivu’s decision to start Bony and bring on Piotr Zielinski and Carlos Augusto later added fresh legs and tactical balance. His calm demeanor and adaptability are starting to define Inter’s identity this season.
Inter take first place, Roma rally again
With this win, Inter moved to the top of Serie A, level with Roma and Napoli on 15 points, but ahead on goal difference. Roma, on the other hand, have fallen to third place and need to bounce back quickly if they are to remain in the title race.
The result could be crucial in shaping the early title race. Inter’s resilience and tactical discipline may be the blueprint for their quest for the Scudetto, but Roma need to rediscover their attacking rhythm to remain competitive, and with the intensity of the games at this stage of the season, they need to do it quickly.
Upcoming matches:
- Inter Milan: The final showdown with Napoli will continue next weekend.
- AS Roma: Travels to face Atalanta, a tricky opponent with momentum.
However, both teams have European games first, with Roma hosting Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, while Inter travel to Belgium to face Union Saint-Giroise.