Inter Milan 0–1 Roma Player Ratings: Matias Soule’s Winner Piles More Misery on Inter Milan

Roma inflicted more misery on Inter Milan by running away with a 1-0 victory at San Siro. The table topper strongly started the game but faded out as Roma got control of the midfield. They scored through Matias Soule towards the end of the first quarter and defended for their lives to inflict a third straight defeat on Inter Milan and condemn them to potentially second place by the end of the day.

Inter Milan suffered back-to-back losses in the league and cup to give up their commanding position at the top of the league. Simone Inzaghi had to deal with a string of injuries and suspensions to get back to winning ways. They had to replace the injured Marcus Thuram’s goal threat in the attack and the suspended Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s bite in the midfield. Alessandro Bastoni’s suspension also added a worry in the defence.

Standing in their way were the resurgent Roma. The capital side was in great form domestically and posed a fine challenge as they aimed to finish in European spots. Paulo Dybala was their only long-term injury, as Claudio Ranieri had a fully fit squad to choose from. He deployed the back three again to neutralise Inter Milan’s system and go man for man in the buildup and press. Their defence was the one to beat as they conceded the fewest goals in the calendar year. However, they were struggling for goals on the road, especially.

Nerazzurri started the game strongly with a strong home crowd backing them to get back on track. Lautaro Martinez was pulled down by Gianluca Mancini on a break, and it warranted a yellow card for the Roma defender. Martinez then thought he opened the scoring when he finished a Davide Frattesi square pass, but the flag went up against him. They were in for a shock when Benjamin Pavard twisted his ankle and had to leave the field.

After being a no-show for the first 20 minutes or so, Roma took charge of the game later on. Matias Soule was the architect as he created a fine chance for Manu Koen, who curled his effort just wide of the target. The away side, who defended with plenty of discipline to that point, found an attacking gear and made it count.

Soule was the heart and soul of Roma as he opened the scoring for them in the 22nd minute. He started the move by laying off for Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose shot was pinballing in the box. Soule was the quickest to react as it took a touch of Eldor Shomurodov and fell into his path. The Argentine put his right foot to it and bundled it past Yann Sommer.

Roma created a couple of chances in quick succession but weren’t able to make them count. They settled into their defensive shape again and asked the hosts to break them down. Their defence was rock solid as they conceded a shot in the fourth minute and let one on target again in the 32nd minute. However, Inter found some momentum by bringing their frontmen into play.

The half ended in Roma’s favour as they defended their one-goal lead despite some late Inter Milan pressure. Inter didn’t play badly, but were trailing because of their midfield’s inability to control the field. The league leaders were staring at a third straight defeat in a week and needed a massive second half to keep their hopes of winning the league alive.

They raised their intensity as expected in the second half, as the opening minutes of the second half took place entirely in Roma’s half. Despite Inter’s wide men firing crosses in, the Roma centre-backs defended heroically to keep them out. Roma enjoyed a couple of breaks, but they weren’t decisive enough.

Nicolo Barella and Martinez had good chances for the hosts, but Roma couldn’t believe how they didn’t go two up when Artem Dovbyk failed to finish from six yards against a defender. Inter Milan were entering a phase of desperation as they started getting shots and rash actions from all over the pitch.

Roma completely gave up their quest for a second goal as they sat back and allowed Inter to call the shots. The hosts were running out of time quickly to get something from the game. They had a strong penalty appeal that was waved away when Denzel Dumfries was fouled in Roma’s box. The game inevitably ended 1-0 to Roma as the hosts were utterly toothless towards the end of the game.

Inter Milan loses more ground in the Scudetto title race as Roma inflicts a shock defeat. Napoli have a chance to overtake them in the league as they have to play catch-up in the last four games. The prospect of an all-time play-off is very real if there is an upset or two. Inter will travel to Barcelona on Wednesday for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Roma have risen to the fifth spot in the table temporarily and have given themselves a great chance to make it to the Champions League next season. Ranieri’s men have yet again kept a clean sheet. They have a difficult run-in ahead of them, though. They host Fiorentina in the league next Sunday.

Here are the player ratings for Inter Milan vs Roma.

Inter Milan Player Ratings

GK- Yann Sommer- 6/10

He wasn’t called into action largely, but he could do nothing but pick the ball out of his net when Soule stabbed one past him.

CB- Benjamin Pavard- 6/10

Very unfortunate injury for him early in the game as he twisted his ankle early on. Tried to play on with it, but was unable to and was replaced.

CB- Franceso Acerbi- 7/10

Did well to deal with the physicality of Roma’s forwards, but was unable to react as the ball was bouncing around for the first goal.

CB- Carlos Augusto- 7/10

Involved in a lot of ball playing and did well to deal with players doubling up on him on that left-hand side.

RWB- Matteo Darmian- 6.5/10

He wasn’t needed in defence much as Roma used their right-side to attack giving him all the time to attack. Failed to produce the goods though.

CM- Nicolo Barella- 6/10

He dropped deep to collect the ball from the centrebacks and sprayed it forward. Roma’s midfielders got the better of him physically.

CM- Hakan Calhanoglu- 7/10

The midfield maestro looked classy as he fired some good balls over the top and caused trouble with his set pieces. But failed to cover the ground quickly on transitions.

CM- Davide Frattesi- 6.5/10

Played with the freedom to join the attack from midfield. Created a chance for Martinez to score, but he was offside in the buildup.

LWB- Federico Dimarco- 6.5/10

Similar to Darmian, he had a lot of time to attack, but he couldn’t pick his targets in the box.

ST- Marko Arnautovic- 5/10

Failed to create the kind of impact that was needed of him. Displayed his quality in flashes but couldn’t give them what they needed.

ST- Lautauro Martinez- 5/10

Scored an offside goal early in the game and got Mancini booked. Failed to rile up the centreback and get him sent off, and instead picked up a yellow card.

SUB- Yann Bisseck- 6.5/10

Replaced the injured Pavard and slotted in the centre of the back three.

SUB- Nicola Zalewski- 6/10

SUB- Denzel Dumfries- 6/10

SUB- Piotr Zielinski- 6/10

SUB- Joaquin Correa- 6/10

Manager- Simone Inzaghi- 4/10

The manager named his best side given all things on his hands. But his players failed to display the intensity needed to defend their league title. They were a second slower to react to everything as the horrors of the past two weeks caught up with them.

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Roma Player Ratings

GK- Mile Svilar- 7/10

Displayed proactive goalkeeping by sweeping up early in the game. He dealt very well with a lot of threatening set pieces coming his way.

CB- Zeki Celik- 6.5/10

Often joined the attack and progressed the ball in the buildup for their first goal. Was excellent in defending his box.

CB- Roberto Mancini- 7/10

Got into a pickle by getting booked in the opening five minutes of the game. Had to walk a tight rope and boy did he walk well. Put his head on the line multiple times to get the crosses away.

CB- Evan Ndicka- 7/10

Was often overwhelmed as Inter doubled up on him but did pretty well to keep his head up and clear the crosses.

RWB- Matias Soule- 8.5/10

Sparked life into Roma with a good run first up and then shook things up by opening the scoring. He was causing Inter trouble throughout the game and defended well.

CM- Bryan Cristante- 7/10

His partnership with Kone allowed Roma to dominate for a brief period in the first half. Missed a gilt-edged chance to make it 2-0. When they had to defend, he was the first to fall back and aid his side.

CM- Lorenzo Pellegrini- 6.5/10

He had great chances to double Roma’s lead but always fell short with the final pass.

CM- Manu Kone- 8/10

He was fluent throughout the game by making some great challenges to win the ball back. The way he drove forward with it was eye-catching too as he made it look easy.

LWB- Angelino- 7/10

Enjoyed some good pieces in attack when he had the space and created a great chance for Shomurodov. He was tested defensively in the second half when Dumfries came on.

ST- Eldor Shomurodov- 7/10

He was stretching fully to make it 2-0 but was denied by an excellent challenge from behind. Probably picked up the easiest assist of his career as the ball simply bounced off him for Soule.

ST- Artem Dovbyk- 6/10

The forward caused enough trouble to Inter’s centre-backs. However, he could’ve made it 2-0 as he was one v one against a defender. He failed to get the shot away on time.

SUB- Tommaso Baldanzi- 6/10

SUB- Lucas Gourna-Douath- 6/10

SUB- Niccolo Pisilli- 6/10

SUB- Devyne Rensch- 6/10

SUB- Stephen El Saarawy- 6/10

Manager- Claudio Ranieri- 8/10

Not enough credit couldn’t be given to him for reviving Roma’s season. His side enjoyed another fine defensive performance whilst finding a goal with their only offensive spell of the game. He got the players to run through brick walls for him.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Matias Soule

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