Inter Milan secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Genoa on February 22, 2025, at the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The match, part of the Serie A league, was tightly contested, with Lautaro Martínez's goal securing the three points for Inter and boosting their hopes of maintaining pressure on league leaders Napoli.
Throughout the match, both sides exhibited strong defensive tactics, but it was Martínez who broke the deadlock. The goal came from a corner kick in the 78th minute when César Masini inadvertently redirected the ball, allowing Martínez to capitalize and score from close range, beating Genoa's goalkeeper, Nicola Leali.
Despite controlling possession for much of the match, Inter faced significant challenges penetrating the organized defense of Genoa, who demonstrated remarkable resilience. Leali was especially notable, making several impressive saves to keep his team competitive. His efforts included denying Martínez and preventing Taremi from netting a second goal for Inter after what looked to be another promising offensive move.
The first half concluded goalless, but it was evident both teams were vying for the win. Inter maintained their usual dominance through precise ball movement, but attempts such as Nicolò Barella's long-range strike were swiftly halted by Leali. Genoa, on the other hand, attempted to respond with quick counter-plays but struggled to create solid chances.
With this win, Inter head coach Simone İnzaghi celebrated reaching 57 points, keeping the team just one point adrift of Napoli, who were set to play against Como the following day. The victory also marked the continuation of Inter's unbeaten streak against Genoa, who have struggled against them historically. They have not won at San Siro since March 1994.
Before the match, both teams revealed their starting line-ups, with Inter opting for their usual 3-5-2 formation featuring Martínez and Joaquín Correa at the forefront of their attack. Genoa, under the management of former player Patrick Vieira, deployed a rigid 4-3-3 setup, filled with young talents and seasoned players.
Even as the match intensified, players from both sides exhibited moments of individual brilliance. Inter's Brozovic and Dumfries had their attempts thwarted, whilst Genoa's Miretti and Pinamonti demonstrated potential on counter-attacks, yet could not breach Inter's formidable defenders.
The match itself was part of the 26th round of the Serie A season, and as per records, Inter had remained unbeaten against Genoa for the last 11 matchups, indicating the dominant position the club has maintained over the years.
Despite Inter's celebrated prowess, the game was not free from controversies. Inter's Correa suffered an injury late in the first half, which forced İnzaghi to devise alternative strategies as he brought Taremi on as Correa's replacement.
At the final whistle, the scoreline reflected the tightly contested nature of the match, with Inter's victory proving pivotal for their campaign. Fans left the stadium with optimism for their team’s title aspirations, especially with their eyes now firmly set on the upcoming encounter with Napoli.
Looking toward the immediate future, Genoa's position remains precarious, as they sit comfortably mid-table but require consistent performances to avoid being pulled back toward the relegation zone. Vieira's squad has shown improvement under his leadership, but they will need to turn potential performances like this match against Inter and move forward with more tangible results.
Both clubs now face midweek fixtures as they continue their campaigns; Inter will look to solidify their league standing against tougher oppositions, whereas Genoa will aim to recover and establish stronger footholds moving toward the final stretch of the season.
The nail-biting encounter showcased the competitive spirit of the Serie A, with each match carrying significant weight as teams vie for glory as well as upper-tier positions.