Inter consolidate their top four status and now have a superior head-to-head record with Roma after Federico Dimarco and Romelu Lukaku snatched a 2-0 victory at the Olimpico.
There were only two points separating fourth-placed Inter from Roma, Milan and Atalanta going into this weekend, so it was a huge clash for the Champions League places. The hosts were missing Stephan El Shaarawy, Chris Smalling, Diego Llorente, Marash Kumbulla, Rick Karsdorp and suspended Zeki Celik, but Nemanja Matic returned from his ban. Paulo Dybala and Gini Wijnaldum were at best fit for the bench, while Robin Gosens, Danilo D’Ambrosio and Milan Skriniar didn’t make the trip. Lautaro Martinez was rested ahead of the Champions League semi-final.
Marcelo Brozovic’s effort was deflected wide, but Lorenzo Pellegrini saw his strike deflected off Alessandro Bastoni so Andre Onana had to fingertip over the bar.
Hakan Calhanoglu put power behind his effort from distance that was straight at Rui Patricio, but Inter took the lead when Marcelo Brozovic sent Denzel Dumfries down the right and the roll across was beyond Romelu Lukaku, but found Federico Dimarco at the back post to score from a tight angle.
Roger Ibanez nodded over the bar from a Pellegrini free kick and Nicola Zalewski fired straight at Andre Onana, while Joaquin Correa drilled wide and then failed to pick the right pass for Lukaku.
Dimarco saw his snapshot deflected just past the far post and Roma had penalty appeals for handball, but Matteo Darmian made the block first, it then ricocheted onto an arm in a natural position.
On the resulting corner, Onana flew to fingertip an Ibanez strike over from a tricky angle. Roma introduced Dybala for the final 20 minutes, but then immediately gifted Inter a second goal.
Ibanez intercepted the long Alessandro Bastoni ball, but then immediately gave it away to Lautaro Martinez, who sent Lukaku clear to score into the bottom corner with the inside of the left boot.
Brozovic tested Rui Patricio from distance and Pellegrini had an effort charged down, but Lautaro Martinez almost killed it when his curler smacked against the crossbar.
Moments later, Mady Camara should’ve got Roma back into the game, only to balloon over from the edge of the box from a Matic assist.
Pellegrini’s free kick also skimmed the upright, but because Inter lost 2-1 at home and won 2-0 away, it means they have a superior head-to-head record with Roma and will be in front if they finish level on points.
Roma 0-2 Inter
Dimarco 34 (I), Lukaku 74 (I)
Player statistic
| Gianluca Mancini |  |
27' | ||
| 33' |  |
Federico Dimarco (Assist: Denzel Dumfries) |
| Lorenzo Pellegrini | |
58' | ||
| 65' | |
Lautaro Martínez | ||
| 74' | |
Romelu Lukaku (Assist: Lautaro Martínez) | ||
| Leonardo Spinazzola | |
77' | ||
| 84' | |
Roberto Gagliardini |
Match statistic
