Roma 0-2 Inter Milan: Romelu Lukaku on target as Simone Inzaghi’s side boost top-four hopes
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Updated 06/05/2023 at 18:39 GMT
Inter Milan boosted their hopes of securing a spot in the top four in Serie A and dealt a hammer blow to Roma’s when claiming victory in the Italian capital on Saturday evening. It has been extremely tight behind runaway Serie A winners Napoli, and goals from Federico Dimarco and Romelu Lukaku sealed the three points for Inter who are well placed to secure Champions League football.
Romelu Lukaku celebrates during the Italian Serie A match between AS Roma and Inter Milan on May 6, 2023 at the Olympic stadium in Rome
Image credit: Getty Images
Federico Dimarco and Romelu Lukaku struck as Inter Milan beat AS Roma 2-0 to restore their spot in Serie A’s top four.
Dimarco was in the right place at the right time to tap home Denzel Dumfries' cross from close range to give Inter a first-half lead.
As Roma began to chase the game, substitute Lautaro Martinez found Lukaku, who powerfully steered a low strike to the left of Rui Patricio to seal the three points.
The win for Simone Inzaghi’s side lifts them back above AC Milan and into the Champions League spots after Milan had temporarily taken charge of fourth spot with a win earlier on Saturday.
Roma remain seventh but are still within touching distance of a European finish.
Inter came out of a scrappy first half a goal to the good thanks to an instinctive Dimarco strike.
Dumfries spotted Lukaku making a run into the penalty area and despite the striker's attempt to slide in and poke the ball fizzing across the six-yard box toward goal, he couldn’t reach it, but Dimarco arrived at the back post just in time to tap past Rui Patricio.
Roma had a strong appeal for a penalty in the second half denied when Dimarco slid in for a challenge and made contact with the ball before it popped up and struck his arm.
After a quick VAR check, the referee’s decision not to give a penalty remained.
Roma started to throw everything at Inter in search of an equaliser, but that’s when Inter capitalised and took the opportunity to stretch their advantage.
Martinez slotted the ball to Lukaku who was through on goal, and without thinking about it, guided a low shot with force beyond Patricio with the inside of his left foot.
That was the final nail in the coffin for Roma, who were unable to get back in the game.
TALKING POINT - INTER ARE BACK IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTS
Inter Milan give a glowing response to AC Milan’s win earlier, which had temporarily lifted Stefano Pioli's side above Inter and into the top four. However, Inter made no mistake with a golden chance to restore their place in the Champions League spots and regain their fourth-place position with four games to play.
With Inter and AC Milan locking horns in a Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, it might also prove to be a mental advantage for Inzaghi’s side to leapfrog their rivals and get the better of them domestically.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - FEDERICO DIMARCO (INTER)
This was the second time Dimarco has risen to the occasion and scored against Roma this season, and his goal in the first half could go down as a huge one in Inter’s bid to secure Champions League football through the domestic route.
He was brilliant in attack, was a constant threat down Inter’s left-hand side and gave Nicola Zalewski and Gianluca Mancini something to think about all game long. He also filled in defensively and helped Inter to a clean sheet, which could be vital if the Champions League chase goes down to the wire, with Lazio, Juventus, Inter and AC Milan all on similar points and goal difference.
PLAYER RATINGS
ROMA: Patricio 6, Mancini 6, Christante 7, Ibanez 6, Zalewski 7, Bove 7, Matic 7, Camara 6, Spinazzola 6, Pellegrini 7, Belotti 6
Subs: Missori N/A, Dybala 7, Tahirovic N/A, Pisilli N/A, Abraham 6
INTER: Onana 8, Bastoni 7, Acerbi 7, Darmian 7, Dumfries 7, Barella 7, Brozovic 7, Calhanoglu 7, Dimarco 8, Lukaku 8, Correa 6
Subs: De Vrij 6, Bellanova 6, Gagliardini 5, Mkhitaryan 6, Martinez 7
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
18’ - PELLEGRINI'S SHOT DEFLECTED OVER! The ball drops to the midfielder on the edge of the box and his first attempt is blocked by Francesco Acerbi before Pellegrini unleashes another, far more dangerous effort, which comes off Bastoni's back and over the bar - helped on by Onana.
33’ - GOAL! ROMA 0-1 INTER (DIMARCO) - Denzel Dumfries bursts down the right flank before fizzing the ball across the six-yard box for Lukaku who can't quite reach it as he slides towards goal, but Dimarco's there at the back post to slot home!
53’ - DIMARCO'S SHOT DEFLECTS WIDE! Barella tees him up on the edge of the box and his shot glances off Gianluca Mancini's back as the ball loops up and wide.
56’ - HUGE ROMA SHOUT FOR A PENALTY! Dimarco goes in for a sliding challenge and as he makes contact with the ball, it pops up and strikes his arm. The ball makes contact with his body first, so it will be surprising if this is overturned.
57’ - NO PENALTY - As expected, the referee points to the corner flag rather than the penalty spot.
75’ - GOAL! ROMA 0-2 INTER (LUKAKU) - Martinez slots the ball to Lukaku who finds himself through on goal and without thinking, guides the ball with force beyond Patricio with the inside of his left foot. Surely that wraps the three points up for Inter.
88’ - CAMARA BLASTS OVER! The ball falls perfectly to the midfielder in the penalty box, but he sends it well over the crossbar!
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