Inter Milan's Serie A title hopes took a massive blow on April 27, 2025, as they suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to AS Roma. This loss marked Inter's third consecutive defeat in all competitions, following a 3-0 exit from the Coppa Italia at the hands of AC Milan just days earlier. The defeat not only jeopardizes their title defense but also gives Napoli a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table when they face Torino later on Sunday.
The match at San Siro started brightly for Inter, with Davide Frattesi finding the net early on, but his goal was ruled out for offside. The hosts were dealt another blow when defender Benjamin Pavard was forced off with an injury, raising concerns ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final against Barcelona on Wednesday.
After a promising start, Inter struggled to maintain their momentum. Roma gradually took control of the match, and in the 22nd minute, they took the lead through Matías Soulé. The goal came after a blocked effort from Lorenzo Pellegrini, with the ball falling to Soulé who slotted it home from close range. Inter's defense, which had been a strong point earlier in the season, looked vulnerable as they failed to contain the Giallorossi's attacking threats.
As the match progressed, Roma continued to threaten, with Pellegrini's cross almost doubling their lead, but Bryan Cristante missed the target from a promising position. Inter's Carlos Augusto made a crucial clearance to deny Eldor Shomurodov a tap-in, but it was clear that the hosts were struggling to create meaningful chances.
In the second half, Inter pushed hard for an equalizer, but their efforts were met with a resolute Roma defense. Hakan Calhanoglu came close with a long-range effort that went just wide, while a header from Denzel Dumfries was saved by Roma's goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Nicolo Barella also fired wide from a promising position, highlighting Inter's lack of cutting edge in front of goal.
After the match, wingback Carlos Augusto admitted, "Clearly we’re tired. Both physically and mentally. But I don’t want to look for excuses. They have a great team, they scored early, and you know how when you’re behind you have to spend more energy to equalize." Augusto emphasized the need for the team to recharge ahead of their pivotal match against Barcelona, stating, "We have to see what we did wrong. And we have to recharge our batteries. Because in two days’ time, on Wednesday, we have a very important match."
Inter's struggles were further compounded by a controversial moment involving Evan Ndicka and Yann Bisseck. Serie A refereeing expert Luca Marelli noted that Ndicka "took a huge risk" by holding Bisseck in the penalty area during a late Inter attack. Despite the Nerazzurri's appeals for a penalty, referee Fabbri waved them away, and VAR did not intervene, leaving Inter frustrated as they sought a way back into the match.
The defeat leaves Inter Milan in a precarious position as they sit second in the Serie A standings, level on 71 points with Napoli, who have a game in hand. Roma's victory boosts them to fifth place with 60 points, keeping their hopes for European competition alive.
As the season reaches its climax, Inter must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks. The upcoming match against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals will be critical for the defending champions, who now face the daunting task of bouncing back from three consecutive losses. Can they find the energy and determination to turn their season around?
With the stakes higher than ever, all eyes will be on Inter Milan as they prepare for a crucial week ahead. The pressure is on, and how they respond will determine not only their title aspirations but also their standing in European competition.
