Inter Milan Edge Past AS Roma 1-0, as Bonny Claims the Early Winner

Karun Abraham

Content Writer

“Inter landed an early punch and then managed the game with control and bite, edging a high-stakes chess match at the Olimpico.”

Gritty Win for Inter Milan

Inter Milan claimed a narrow but authoritative 1–0 win at the Stadio Olimpico, decided by an early strike that set the tone for a measured, professional away display. Roma grew into the contest and saw more of the ball in long spells, but the Nerazzurri’s compact shape, aggressive counter-press, and set-piece resilience kept the hosts at arm’s length. The result tightened the race at the top and largely mirrored the pre-match themes: Roma’s structure and transitions versus Inter’s incision and width.

First Half — Early breakthrough, disciplined control

Inter struck inside the opening minutes, timing a vertical run beyond Roma’s last line before a composed finish, tucked the ball past the keeper for 0–1. Holding the lead, the visitors funnelled possession through their double pivot to dictate tempo and pin Roma back. The hosts responded with territorial pressure: Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné began linking the middle third, while Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé searched for pockets between Inter’s midfield and defence. Clear-cut chances, however, were scarce before the interval; Inter’s first contact on crosses and calm box protection restricted Roma to half-looks.

Second Half — Roma push, Inter manage the state

After the restart, Roma increased the tempo and probed with recycled crosses and set-pieces. Paulo Dybala drew fouls in the right half-space and briefly tilted momentum, but Inter’s screen in front of the back line stalled second-phase chaos. When pressure mounted, the Nerazzurri were content to drop into a flattened back five, crowd central lanes, and spring out through Lautaro Martínez to relieve and reset. A late flurry from the hosts brought blocked efforts and one skidding delivery across the six-yard box, yet Yann Sommer remained composed and Inter’s defenders won the decisive duels to see it out.

Tactical Analysis

Inter: The visitors executed a clear blueprint: fast, wide releases, vertical depth runs, and compact spacing behind the ball. The early goal came straight from that plan, attacking depth before Roma’s block settled. With the lead, Inter toggled between a calm 3-2 build and a deeper five-across last line, inviting wide deliveries they were equipped to clear. Lautaro’s hold-up, diagonal runs and drawing of fouls were essential to kill Roma’s rhythm, while Federico Dimarco’s advanced positioning helped pin back the hosts’ right.

Roma: Daniele De Rossi’s side stayed true to their identity, disciplined block, counter-attacking precision, and set-piece threat. The midfield duel (Cristante/Koné vs Çalhanoğlu/Barella) decided territory in phases; Roma often won the first ball, but Inter frequently won the next action. The best home openings came via second balls after corners and Dybala-led combinations in the right half-space, yet final-third precision deserted them when a clean touch or finish was needed.

Individual Performances

• Match-winner (Inter) — Clinical finish early on; relentless pressing on Roma’s first pass out.
   
• Lautaro Martínez (Inter) — Constant outlet; linked transitions and drew timely fouls to slow the game.
   
• Federico Dimarco (Inter) — Provided width and dangerous delivery; diligent late defending.
   
• Hakan Çalhanoğlu & Nicolò Barella (Inter) — Screened the back line and recycled possession to reset control.
   
• Bryan Cristante (Roma) — Ball recovery and distribution underpinned Roma’s best spell.
   
• Paulo Dybala (Roma) — Sparked pockets of creativity; won set-pieces but lacked a decisive final action.
   
• Yann Sommer (Inter) — Assured handling and near-post coverage under late pressure.
   

Aftermath & Implications

The win underscores Inter’s ability to manage game state after an early breakthrough, control the middle, compress the box, and exit cleanly through their captain. Now, the team is getting ready for its Champions League fixture against Union Saint-Gilloise on 22nd October. For fans interested in seeing it in person, book your tickets via 1BoxOffice, where we ensure you get genuine tickets at a reasonable price.

For Roma, the structure and intensity were there, but the absence of a ruthless final touch against a well-drilled block proved costly. With the schedule tightening, the previewed matchups, Lautaro vs Roma’s leadership at the back, Dimarco’s width vs the right-side defender, and Dybala/Soulé creativity vs Inter’s screen, remain the levers that will shape both teams’ upcoming weeks. Next on the agenda for the team is getting ready for its Europa League fixture against Viktoria Plzeň on 24th October. For fans interested in seeing it in person, book your tickets via 1BoxOffice, where we ensure you get genuine tickets at a reasonable price.