Inter Milan secured a narrow victory against Genoa, with Lautaro Martínez scoring the only goal of the match to keep their title hopes alive. Played at the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, the Serie A clash on February 22, 2025, was pivotal for both teams, albeit for different reasons.
Entering the match, Inter needed to bounce back after previous defeats, including one against Juventus, placing them second in the league standings with 54 points, and trailing Napoli. Manager Simone Inzaghi was determined to reclaim the lead, especially after their earlier match against Genoa ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Conversely, Genoa, managed by Patrick Vieira, was seeking stability mid-table after their recent 2-0 victory over Venezia.
The first half started cautiously. Both teams were eager to control possession but often found themselves exchanging back-and-forth passes without significant threats on goal. Inter's star striker, Lautaro Martínez, was underwhelming, having not previously scored against Genoa across multiple encounters. Even with attacking intent, the first half finished goalless as both defenses stood firm.
After the interval, the intensity picked up. Inter kept pressing, and their perseverance finally paid off when Lautaro Martínez found the net with just 12 minutes remaining on the clock. A well-executed corner kick taken by Hakan Çalhanoglu fell perfectly for Martínez, who headed the ball low past the Genoa goalkeeper, Josef Martínez, sealing the match at 1-0. This jubilation for Inter was echoed by the excitement of their fans, seeing their team take the edged lead.
Genoa, though trailing, did not give up. They made several attempts to answer back, showcasing some solid midfield play and pressing high to regain possession. Morten Frendrup and Caleb Ekuban tried to create opportunities but faced stubborn resistance from Inter’s defense. Careful management of the possession by Inter allowed them to control the game tempo effectively.
The closing stages featured increasing tension as Genoa pushed for equalization, leading to frantic moments around Inter's box. Yet, they were unable to create clear-cut chances, with several headers and shots from marginally within their reach sailing too high or going wide.
This marked Inter's second consecutive win over Genoa, adding to their historical advantage of dominating the Serie A meetings over the years, now with 61 wins, 32 draws, and 22 defeats against the Grifone.
This hard-fought result not only strengthened Inter’s position to challenge for the Serie A title but also lifted spirits within the squad, mobilizing their focused training and game strategies. The victory also did wonders for Lautaro Martínez, easing his scoring concerns and hopefully setting the stage for more goal-scoring success as the season progresses.
Looking forward, Inter will need to maintain this winning momentum as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, including their valuable Champions League engagements. Meanwhile, Genoa will look to regroup after their lost opportunities and continue pushing for points to solidify their position mid-table. With this victory, the title race remains very much alive, and as the matches progress, every point will matter. Both managers have tough decisions ahead but this electrifying match has certainly set the tone for the Serie A season.
The Serie A action continues, and the anticipation builds as fans eagerly await the next round of fixtures!