Inter Milan plunged the depths of despair before soaring to triumph over Monza, as they turned around what looked to be a dismal situation, winning 3-2 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 8, 2025. The match, marked by dramatic swings, showcased the resilience of the reigning Serie A champions as they maintained their lead at the top of the table.
Before halftime, the hosts found themselves trailing by two goals, with Monza capitalizing on their rare opportunities. Former Inter player Keita Baldé struck first for the visitors, stunning the home crowd. Then, moments later, Samuele Birindelli added to the visitors' tally, putting Inter under immense pressure. The scoreboard read 2-0, and panic was palpable.
Yet, just before the break, Inter’s Marko Arnautovic breathed life back to the hosts, heading the ball home to reduce the deficit to 2-1. This pivotal goal shifted the momentum immediately. The Norwegian striker's powerful header rejuvenated the supporters and the players alike as they headed to the changing rooms.
Following the intermission, Inter came out firing on all cylinders, determined to claim three points from the contest. Their attacking intensity paid off when Hakan Calhanoglu scored from distance, leveling the match at 2-2. The Turkish midfielder's strike was pure class, curling the ball past the Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati, who had little chance to stop it.
With the wind firmly behind their sails, it wasn’t long before Inter turned the match around completely. Lautaro Martinez netted what would be the match-winner less than ten minutes after Calhanoglu's equalizer. The Argentine's tenacity on the ball resulted in him finding the back of the net, much to the jubilant joy of thousands of Nerazzurri fans filling the stadium.
Inter Milan’s coach Simone Inzaghi reflected on the importance of this comeback victory, stating, "We don’t watch, but we just think one match at a time. Consistency, goals scored, and our objective are what keep us moving forward. We want to give everything for these colours.” Inter's victory places them four points clear at the top of Serie A for at least another day, placing additional pressure on rivals such as Napoli and Juventus.
On the matchday itself, Inter's lineup was notable for its changes, including the return of goalkeeper Yann Sommer to the bench and the introduction of Marko Arnautovic to the starting squad, who made his mark with the first goal of the second half.
Despite the early lead, Monza struggled significantly throughout the rest of the match, allowing Inter to dominate possession and dictate the pace. The visitors remain at the bottom of the Serie A table, nine points from safety, as their struggles continued amid the managerial challenges faced by coach Alessandro Nesta.
Reportedly, Monza failed to utilize their scoring opportunities effectively throughout the match, compounding their difficulties as they grapple with the worst run of form. Their challenges continued as they managed only 21 goals this season, making them the league's second-worst attack.
After this exhilarating victory, Inter now looks to their upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Feyenoord on March 11, with the host holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg. They hope to build on their momentum from this Serie A clash.
The next round of matches promises to be intriguing for both teams involved. While Inter seeks to solidify their performance at the top of the table, Monza must regroup quickly to avoid relegation and find any semblance of form to claw back from the depths of despair they currently find themselves.