Complete performance at San Siro as Inter overpower Bologna, respond to Milan and Napoli wins, and return to first place on Matchday 18.
A dominant Inter performance at San Siro saw the Nerazzurri defeat Bologna 3-1, reclaiming the top of the Serie A table with authority. Goals from Zielinski, Lautaro Martínez, and Marcus Thuram sealed Inter’s fifth consecutive league victory, while Ravaglia’s outstanding display prevented a far heavier scoreline.
Cristian Chivu’s side responded emphatically to wins earlier in the weekend by Milan and Napoli, moving to 39 points—one clear of Milan and two ahead of Napoli—after a match they controlled from start to finish.
Inter started strongly and immediately put Bologna under pressure. Lautaro and Thuram were both dangerous in the opening stages, and the Nerazzurri came close in the 19th minute when Lautaro capitalized on a Lucumì mistake to set up Thuram, only for a last-ditch recovery by Heggem to deny the Frenchman from close range.
The pressure intensified midway through the first half. Ravaglia was forced into back-to-back saves, first pushing away Çalhanoğlu’s effort and then denying Bastoni’s header from the resulting corner. Bologna’s first real chance came in the 34th minute, when Odgaard’s header narrowly missed the target.
Inter’s breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute: a slick move saw Thuram flick the ball into Lautaro’s path, who laid it off for Zielinski. The Polish midfielder struck first time from the edge of the area, beating Ravaglia with a precise finish. The Bologna goalkeeper then kept the score down by saving from Lautaro just before halftime.
The second half followed the same script. Inter came out firing and doubled their lead in the 48th minute, Lautaro rising highest at a corner to head home. Minutes later, the Argentine hit the crossbar and then saw another attempt denied by Ravaglia, who continued to frustrate the hosts.
The third goal finally arrived in the 74th minute. From a corner, Thuram’s shoulder deflection—helped by a slight touch from a Bologna defender—sent the ball into the net to make it 3-0. Bologna pulled one back late through Castro in the 83rd minute, finishing clinically from one of the visitors’ few chances.
At full time, the 3-1 scoreline flattered Bologna. Inter delivered a statement win, marked by Lautaro’s all-around excellence, Zielinski’s resurgence, and a Thuram performance that grew stronger as the match went on.
Match Report
Inter–Bologna 3-1
Goals:
39’ Zielinski (I)
48’ Lautaro Martínez (I)
74’ Thuram (I)
83’ Castro (B)
Inter (3-5-2):
Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni (75’ Carlos Augusto); Luis Henrique, Barella (67’ Mkhitaryan), Çalhanoğlu (67’ Sucic), Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram (83’ Lavelli), Lautaro Martínez (75’ Esposito).
Coach: Chivu.
Bologna (4-2-3-1):
Ravaglia; Holm (68’ Zortea), Heggem, Lucumì (46’ Vitik), Lykogiannis; Ferguson, Moro (46’ Pobega); Cambiaghi (68’ Orsolini), Odgaard (79’ Freuler), Rowe; Castro.
Coach: Italiano.
Referee: Guida
Yellow cards: Çalhanoğlu (I), Bastoni (I), Barella (I), Vitik (B), Rowe (B), Lykogiannis (B)
Red cards: None
