Inter 5-2 AS Roma: Serie A 2025-26 match report

Inter Milan delivered a clinical attacking performance at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Monday, dismantling AS Roma 5-2 in a high-scoring Serie A encounter. Under the guidance of Cristian Chivu, Inter’s 3-5-2 system proved too dynamic for Piero Gasperini Gian’s visiting side, with the home team’s front two effectively dismantling the Roma defensive structure throughout the evening.

The opening and the tactical struggle

The match began with an immediate statement of intent from the hosts. Within the opening minute, Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring, latching onto a precise assist from Marcus Thuram. The early goal forced Roma to abandon any conservative approach, and the visitors gradually grew into the game as the first half progressed.

Roma’s persistence was rewarded in the 40th minute when Gianluca Mancini leveled the score, converting a delivery from Devyne Rensch. However, the parity was short-lived. Just before the halftime whistle, Hakan Çalhanoğlu restored Inter’s lead, finishing a move orchestrated by Piotr Zieliński. This late goal proved to be a psychological turning point, as Inter emerged from the interval with renewed momentum that Roma struggled to contain.

The decisive surge

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw Inter effectively secure the three points through a ruthless display of efficiency. Lautaro Martínez doubled his tally in the 52nd minute, again assisted by Thuram, who was involved in nearly every dangerous attacking sequence. Three minutes later, Thuram transitioned from provider to scorer, finding the net after a link-up with Çalhanoğlu to make it 4-1.

The defensive stability that Gasperini Gian likely hoped for in his 3-4-2-1 setup had completely evaporated. By the 63rd minute, Nicolò Barella added a fifth goal for the hosts, capitalizing on the space afforded to him in the midfield. While Lorenzo Pellegrini managed to pull one back for Roma in the 70th minute, the result was never in doubt. Inter’s ability to rotate their squad—with Chivu utilizing his full bench to manage the workload—underscored the depth of the current league leaders.

Despite a flurry of substitutions from both benches, the intensity of the match tapered off in the final twenty minutes. Roma’s defensive changes, including the introduction of Mario Hermoso, were intended to prevent further damage rather than spark a comeback. Inter managed the remaining time with composure, maintaining their structure until the final whistle.

Looking ahead

For Inter, this result reinforces their position at the summit of the Serie A table, demonstrating an attacking fluidity that will be difficult for other title contenders to match in the final weeks of the season. AS Roma, meanwhile, must address the defensive lapses that left their backline exposed, as they look to stabilize their standing in the European qualification race.