Lautaro Martinez’s goal gives Inter Milan victory at Roma

Inter Milan beat Roma 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico to stay within touching distance of Serie A leaders Napoli.

Lautaro Martinez’s thumping strike on the hour mark flashed past Giallorossi goalkeeper Mile Svilar with the aid of a slight deflection.

The Argentinian’s fourth goal in as many games took the Nerazzurri to within two points of Napoli, 1-0 winners at Empoli earlier on Sunday.

The hosts are 10th in the table having failed to score for the first time in 25 home matches in the league.

The Roma ultras boycotted the opening 15 minutes in protest at the club’s ownership and the fans missed a lively start from both teams.

The first big chance came in the sixth minute as Inter launched a sweeping move involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Martinez which ended with Marcus Thuram’s 20-yard piledriver being pushed away by Svilar.

Roma came within inches of taking the lead when Lorenzo Pellegrini, near the byline after some neat play, fired towards goal and Yann Sommer fumbled.

The goalkeeper was relieved to see the ball rebound off the post and into his grasp.

Mkhitaryan, playing against the club where he won the Europa Conference League in 2022, then sent a spectacular swerving effort from 25 yards against the Roma crossbar.

Inter lost momentum as Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi departed through injury, and manager Simone Inzaghi’s frustration was compounded by a yellow card for complaining to the officials.

Roma’s attacking threat was fitful with Artem Dovbyk and Zeki Çelik heading wide under pressure.

Pellegrini manufactured their best opening with some smart footwork on the edge of the box.

The Italy international created a yard of space to test Sommer from 20 yards but was left waiting for his first goal of the season.

Defences had been on top as the interval approached and it was much the same at the start of the second period.

Nicolo Barella, back in action after being sidelined for a month, drove wide from distance before Inter struck in devastating fashion.

Davide Frattesi seized on Nicola Zalewski’s unfortunate slip to burst forward from inside his own half.

The chance looked lost as Frattesi’s square pass on the edge of the area appeared aimless, but Celik’s careless touch allowed Martinez to pounce and give Svilar no chance.

Celik showed greater awareness to deny Federico Dimarco from tapping in from Thuram’s pass at the far post, and Roma responded with Paulo Dybala and Dovbyk going near.

Substitute Denzel Dumfries twice went close to extending the lead before Sommer’s stoppage-time save from Matias Soule closed out a precious victory for Inter.

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