In a thrilling encounter at the iconic San Siro, AS Roma edged out Inter Milan 1-0 in Matchday 34 of the 2024/2025 Serie A season on April 27, 2025. Matias Soulé’s first-half strike proved decisive, allowing Roma to maintain their pursuit of European qualification while leaving Inter reeling from their second consecutive defeat.
The match kicked off at 9:00 AM ET, with both teams aware of the stakes involved. Inter, fresh off a disappointing 3-0 defeat to AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinals, were eager to regain their momentum in the league. They entered the match sitting level on points with Napoli at the top of the Serie A table, while Roma was fighting to close the gap on the Champions League spots, trailing Bologna by three points.
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi made several changes to his lineup, reinstating Marko Arnautovic to partner with captain Lautaro Martinez in a 3-5-2 formation. With Marcus Thuram unavailable due to injury, the pressure was on Arnautovic to deliver. However, Inter was also missing key players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alessandro Bastoni, both suspended for this crucial fixture.
On the other side, Roma, under the guidance of Claudio Ranieri, came into the match with a 17-game unbeaten run in Serie A and looked to extend that streak. Despite Paulo Dybala's absence due to injury, Ranieri opted to start Matias Soulé alongside Artem Dovbyk in attack, a decision that would pay off in the 22nd minute.
The breakthrough came when Soulé found the net with a well-placed right-footed shot from close range, expertly assisted by Eldor Shomurodov. The goal sent the visiting fans into a frenzy and put Roma ahead 1-0. Inter struggled to respond, with Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco both missing opportunities to equalize before halftime.
As the match progressed, Inter ramped up the pressure, desperately seeking an equalizer. They earned a corner early in the second half, but Roma's defense remained resolute, successfully repelling Inter's advances. The home side's frustration grew as they struggled to find clarity in their attack, with a notable moment of contention arising in the 82nd minute when Inter players appealed for a penalty after a challenge on Denzel Dumfries. However, the referee waved off the claims, citing a prior dispute between the players.
Despite Inter's attempts to break through, Roma's defense held firm, with goalkeeper Rui Patricio making several crucial saves. The visitors had their own chances to extend their lead but failed to convert, with Dovbyk's powerful shot being blocked by Inter's defense.
In the closing stages, Inter continued to push forward, but their efforts were thwarted by a combination of solid Roma defending and their own inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Benjamin Pavard's injury further complicated matters for Inter, forcing him to leave the pitch and be replaced by Bisseck.
The match wrapped up with Roma securing a vital 1-0 victory, a result that keeps them in contention for European places as they now sit just two points behind Lazio and Juventus. For Inter, the defeat marked a worrying trend, as they now face a crucial Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in just three days. With their Scudetto hopes hanging by a thread, Inzaghi's side will need to regroup quickly.
As the final whistle blew, the atmosphere in San Siro was one of disappointment for the home fans, who had hoped for a different outcome. The defeat not only dashed Inter's title aspirations but also raised questions about their form as they approach the business end of the season.
Looking ahead, both teams have pivotal matches on the horizon. Roma will aim to build on this momentum in their next outing, while Inter must quickly refocus to face Barcelona in a high-stakes Champions League clash. The race for the Serie A title and European qualification is heating up, and every point counts as the season draws to a close.
