Inter Milan swiftly recovered from their recent Champions League disappointment by securing a convincing 2-0 win against Genoa on Saturday. This victory further solidified their commanding position at the summit of Serie A, as they continue their pursuit of the coveted Scudetto. Federico Dimarco’s stunning volley just after the 30-minute mark set the tone for the match, while Hakan Calhanoglu’s composed penalty in the second half sealed the triumph, allowing Inter to stretch their advantage over city rivals AC Milan to an impressive 13 points.
The win came at a crucial juncture for Inter, who had suffered a humiliating exit from the Champions League earlier in the week at the hands of Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt. Despite that setback, the Nerazzurri demonstrated their domestic superiority, dropping only two points in their last 15 league outings. This remarkable consistency has placed them well ahead of the competition in Italy’s top flight, underscoring their determination to claim the league title this season.
Dimarco, who has been instrumental throughout the campaign with seven goals and 15 assists across all competitions, reflected on the importance of team success over individual accolades. “We got the job done, and ultimately, it’s the team that counts,” he remarked. “If my contributions don’t lead to trophies, they won’t mean much. I’d gladly trade some personal stats if it means winning the league.” His opener was a moment of individual brilliance, expertly finishing a tight-angle volley after a slick exchange with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, showcasing both skill and composure.
The match itself was relatively subdued until a pivotal moment when Genoa’s Alex Amorim handled a cross from Luis Henrique inside the penalty area. This led to a spot-kick, which Calhanoglu confidently converted, marking his return to action after struggling with muscle issues that had sidelined him since before Christmas. His calm finish not only secured the points but also provided a boost for Inter’s midfield creativity moving forward.
Meanwhile, attention also turned to Romelu Lukaku, who played a decisive role in Napoli’s 2-1 victory over bottom-placed Verona. Lukaku’s last-minute goal, his first of the season, kept Napoli firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot. The Belgian striker’s strike came at the death, capitalizing on a cross from Giovane to snatch victory at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi. Napoli had appeared on course to drop points after Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro equalized following an early goal from Rasmus Hojlund, but Lukaku’s persistence paid off.
Lukaku, who only returned to action in late January after a lengthy absence, described his challenging season candidly, stating, “I was a dead player before coming here. This season has been difficult, but we’ve got to aim high.” Despite his efforts, Napoli’s hopes of defending their Serie A crown have diminished significantly, as they trail Inter by 14 points. Their campaign has been hampered by injuries to key players, including Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Anguissa, and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, all of whom missed the Verona clash.
Verona, under the temporary guidance of Paolo Sammarco following the recent dismissal of Paolo Zanetti, remain entrenched in the relegation zone, now ten points adrift of safety after enduring their 12th consecutive game without a win. In contrast, Como continued their impressive push for European qualification with a 3-1 victory over struggling Lecce. The win keeps Como just two points shy of Roma, who currently occupy fourth place, and five points behind Napoli.
Como’s resurgence is particularly noteworthy as they prepare to face Inter in the first leg of the Italian Cup semi-finals on Tuesday. Their strong league form has placed them ahead of sixth-placed Juventus, who will face Roma on Sunday in a crucial fixture as they attempt to maintain their Champions League aspirations following their recent elimination from Europe’s premier club competition at the hands of Galatasaray.
