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Inter kept themselves on course for a top-four finish in Serie A after they defeated Roma 2-0 in an ill-tempered clash on Saturday.
The Nerazzurri seized a first-half lead through Federico Dimarco’s close-range finish before Romelu Lukaku’s breakaway strike 16 minutes from time sealed the three points at Stadio Olimpico.
Ahead of a Champions League semi-final with arch-rivals Milan on Wednesday, Simone Inzaghi’s team returned to the top four and boosted their hopes of qualifying for next season’s competition.
For Jose Mourinho’s Giallorossi however, defeat leaves them five points off the top four with just four games left to play, leaving them with an uphill battle in hand.
Several stoppages due to injuries meant chances were at a relative premium during a closely fought opening quarter.
Lukaku required treatment in the six-yard area shortly after Lorenzo Pellegrini went close, while Nicola Zalewski came off worse after taking a fast ball to the face.
But Inter took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Dimarco flicked a Denzel Dumfries ball into the net, via a handy deflection off Bryan Cristante.
Roma fought back and were incensed when Matteo Darmian escaped punishment for a handball in the box shortly before the hour mark, with tempers continuing to boil over.
Even so, the hosts still looked in the game, until a defensive misread from Roger Ibanez allowed their opponents to make the most of a long ball downfield.
Lautaro Martinez, who later hit the crossbar, pounced on the loose ball, and played in Lukaku for a composed finish, ultimately sealing victory for Inter with just over a quarter of an hour to go.
What does it mean? Inter edge their noses back ahead of Milan
Having been dislodged briefly by Milan’s earlier win over Lazio, the visitors were able to push their way back into the Champions League places with a hard-fought win.
Overseeing a fifth straight victory, Inzaghi will be delighted to have keep his players moving forward towards their goals.
Dimarco remains dynamite
With another goal to add to his tally for the season, the Inter man continues to make the most of an impressive 2022-23 campaign.
He now has six goals and six assists, making him the second defender in Europe’s big five leagues to exceed five on both counts, after Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.
Wayward hosts pay the price
With 15 shots throughout, Mourinho’s men could not be accused of carving out chances, notching five more attempts than Inter throughout.
But with only three on target overall, they were too wasteful with their opportunities, leaving them with no return for their effort at the final whistle.
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What’s next?
Both teams turn their attention to European semi-final first legs in midweek. Inter face city rivals Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Roma hosting Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League the following day.
