Inter Milan secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Genoa at the San Siro on February 22, 2025, providing them with much-needed confidence as they look to navigate through decisive matches across Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League.
This match was not just about the points; it marked the debut of goalkeeper Josep Martinez, who had spent months training and waiting for his opportunity. The 26-year-old Spaniard, recently transferred from Genoa, stepped up due to first-choice keeper Yann Sommer’s injury. “You always have to be ready,” Martinez stated after the match, reflecting on his preparation and emotion surrounding this moment.
Inter’s key moment came from captain Lautaro Martinez, who broke the deadlock with a well-placed goal following several challenges from Genoa's defense, which had appeared resolute yet conservative throughout the match. “It was not the most emphatic of victories,” noted analysts, emphasizing the grind required to secure the three points. This win was particularly important after Inter Milan's less favorable performances earlier this month.
The referee Marco Piccinini faced scrutiny for his officiation during the match. While he correctly disallowed what could have been the equalizer for Genoa and handled other major decisions well, he missed two blatant yellow card opportunities—one against Inter's Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and the other against Genoa’s Patrizio Masini. Observers ruled these oversights as major blemishes on his performance.
Genoa showcased strong defensive tactics, which limited Inter’s scoring chances. The Grifone had already drawn with Inter earlier this season and historically managed to hold their own against the Milanese club. Analysts remarked on the lack of attacking threat from Genoa, with Inter's defense—particularly the performance of Francesco Acerbi—successfully neutralizing striker Andrea Pinamonti.
Meanwhile, Joaquin Correa's chance to make his mark was hindered by performance issues. After starting for the second time this season, Correa failed to make significant impacts before leaving the match with what appeared to be a knee problem. “He was not able to impact the match,” said reports, indicating disappointment with his contribution, especially with star forward Marcus Thuram sidelined due to injury.
With this narrow victory, Inter Milan sets its eyes on the challenges to come, including a pivotal Coppa Italia quarterfinal against Lazio and a potential Serie A title decider against Napoli. The scheduling of these matches adds urgency to their pursuit of silverware across multiple fronts.
Overall, Inter's tactical choices and its players' ability to step up will determine how they fare against Latte, Napoli, and Feyenoord next month. The victory against Genoa is not just about the three points but about rekindling momentum as the club marches forward.