SOCCER: Thuram and Martinez star as Inter dismantle Roma 5-2

Inter Milan Crush AS Roma 5-2 to Strengthen Serie A Lead

MILAN – Inter Milan delivered a ruthless attacking masterclass, dismantling AS Roma 5-2 at home on Sunday, as Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez spearheaded the rout. The win strengthens Inter’s grip on the Serie A title race.

The victory gives Inter a nine-point cushion at the top of the table with 72 points. They now await Monday’s clash between second-placed AC Milan and third-placed Napoli in Naples, with only seven rounds remaining in the season. Roma remain in sixth with 54 points.

Thuram and Martinez Shine

Inter wasted no time taking the lead, with Thuram breaking down the right in the opening minute and squaring for Martinez, who calmly finished into the roof of the net. Roma briefly equalized through Gianluca Mancini’s header, but Hakan Calhanoglu restored Inter’s advantage in first-half stoppage time with a stunning long-range strike.

Early in the second half, Thuram and Martinez combined again as the Frenchman set up Martinez for his second goal. Thuram then added a header from a corner, and Nicolo Barella sealed the scoring for Inter just after the hour mark. Lorenzo Pellegrini pulled one back for Roma late in the match.

“We needed to get out there with the right attitude because Roma are a very strong team who play man for man. We are happy—Thuram made the difference, as he usually does,” Martinez told DAZN.

Martinez’s Return Makes Immediate Impact

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez marked his return from a muscle injury with a goal in his first league appearance since February. “I have a special bond with Lauti. He is our captain and sets the example in the most difficult moments. He did that in the first minute today, and we are so glad he’s back with us,” Thuram said.

Inter dominated the early stages, but Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar made several key saves to keep the visitors in the game. Roma gradually grew into the match and were rewarded five minutes before halftime when Devyne Rensch’s cross found an unmarked Mancini to make it 1-1.

Inter regained the lead just before halftime through Calhanoglu, whose 35-meter strike dipped perfectly under the crossbar. The hosts picked up where they left off in the second half. In the 55th minute, Thuram assisted Martinez for his second goal, and three minutes later, Thuram himself headed in from a corner to make it 4-1.

Alessandro Bastoni received applause from home supporters when substituted just before the hour mark, a show of support following intense media criticism after his red card in Italy’s World Cup playoff defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina. “When you talk about Bastoni and all the Italians in the squad… they give everything, even when Italy went out. They worked with heads held high and were ready to deliver tonight,” Martinez said.

Barella added Inter’s fifth goal in the 63rd minute, while Pellegrini scored Roma’s second seven minutes later, finalizing the 5-2 scoreline. -Reporting by Tommy Lund in GdanskEditing by Toby Davis and Pritha Sarkar/Reuters