Inter Milan's hopes of defending their Serie A title took a significant hit on April 27, 2025, as they fell 1-0 at home to AS Roma in a match that left coach Simone Inzaghi searching for answers. The defeat marked Inter's third consecutive loss across all competitions, a streak that has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Inzaghi, speaking to DAZN after the match, reflected on the team's recent struggles. "It’s football, we come from three defeats that hurt us a lot," he said. "But the team tried, not with great lucidity. We put our heart into it, the people saw it." The coach acknowledged the applause from the fans at the end of the match, a small consolation amid a disappointing performance.
Matias Soule's first-half goal for Roma was enough to secure the victory, stunning the San Siro crowd in the 22nd minute. The young Argentinian capitalized on a chaotic situation in the Inter box, slotting the ball home coolly as it ping-ponged around the area. This win propelled Roma to sixth place in the Serie A standings, leveling them with fourth-placed Bologna on 60 points.
Inzaghi was candid about his team's shortcomings, particularly in the first half. "We never pressed as a team, too many individual initiatives, and we conceded too easily," he stated. "Roma played a great match, we tried but this is football. We lacked clarity. There are still important matches, we need to find clarity and bounce back." He emphasized the need for improvement as the team prepares for their next fixture against Barcelona, stating, "We need everything against Barcelona and beyond."
One of the pivotal moments in the match came when Inter's Yann Bisseck appealed for a penalty after Roma defender Evan Ndicka appeared to drag him back in the box. However, referee Michael Fabbri did not award the penalty, and VAR did not intervene, much to the frustration of the Inter players. Inzaghi remarked, "It would be too easy to blame refereeing errors. We have to focus on why the match went the way it did beyond that."
Despite the loss, Inzaghi expressed gratitude for his players' efforts. "The players will always have my gratitude because they’re giving everything," he said. "We didn’t play the way we’re used to. We didn’t press enough, and left big gaps. And we paid the price."
In a day filled with drama in Serie A, AC Milan managed to bounce back from their own defeat last weekend, securing a 2-0 victory over Venezia. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring early in the fifth minute, with Santiago Gimenez sealing the win in stoppage time. This victory, however, did not lift Milan from ninth place in the standings.
The matchday was particularly poignant as no fixtures were played on Friday or Saturday due to the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, making this Sunday a critical one for teams looking to secure points. Inter's loss was compounded by the potential absence of defender Benjamin Pavard, who limped off in the 15th minute with an ankle injury, raising concerns ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
As the Serie A season approaches its climax, Inter Milan finds themselves in a precarious position, needing to rediscover their form quickly. The upcoming match against Barcelona will be crucial, and Inzaghi's side must regroup and find the clarity he spoke of in order to turn their fortunes around.
In the broader context of Serie A, the implications of this match extend beyond just the standings. Inter's title defense is now at risk, and their ability to compete in the Champions League is also in question. As the league continues to heat up, every point becomes vital, and the pressure is on for teams like Inter to deliver consistent performances.
Meanwhile, Roma's victory not only boosts their own hopes for European qualification but also serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of Serie A. With teams jostling for position as the season nears its end, the stakes have never been higher.
As fans and players alike reflect on this pivotal matchday, the focus will undoubtedly shift to how Inter can recover and respond to this setback. Will they find the strength to bounce back against Barcelona, or will their struggles continue? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the drama of Serie A is far from over.
