Inter Milan will hope to continue their march to the Serie A title when they welcome AS Roma on Sunday.
The pressure is beginning to build at the top of Serie A, and Inter Milan will be desperate to reassert control when they welcome AS Roma to Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday night.
Inter still sit in pole position in the title race, but the mood around them is not nearly as comfortable as the table might initially suggest. Roma, meanwhile, arrive needing points for an entirely different objective, a place in next season’s Champions League. With both sides under pressure, this has the feel of one of the weekend’s most important matches in Italy.
For long stretches of the season, Inter looked like a side in command of everything around them but that no longer feels quite as true. Their recent run has introduced doubt into a campaign that had previously looked authoritative, and while they remain favourites for the Scudetto, the margin for error has undeniably shrunk. Results across multiple competitions have dipped, performances have become less convincing, and the sharpness that once defined them has occasionally faded.
A lot of that has coincided with the absence of Lautaro Martinez, whose importance goes far beyond goals alone. Without him, Inter have looked a little less aggressive, a little less fluid and a little less emotionally forceful in the final third.
That does not mean they have collapsed, and their home league record remains excellent, and Giuseppe Meazza is still one of the most difficult venues in Italy for any side to visit. But there is now a clear sense that Inter need to produce a more complete performance here, not just for the points, but to restore authority before the title race tightens further.
Roma come into this match with enough at stake to make them dangerous. The win over Lecce before the international break was important, not just because it ended a frustrating winless run, but because it kept them firmly in the Champions League conversation. The table remains tight, and even if the road ahead looks difficult, Roma are still very much in the race.
The issue is that their away form continues to undermine their progress, and for all the improvement and structure they have shown at home, Roma have simply been less convincing on the road. Too many of their league defeats have come away from the capital, and their inability to consistently produce big away results remains a major obstacle. That is especially relevant here, because Giuseppe Meazza is rarely forgiving when Inter sense vulnerability.
Still, Roma do have one useful psychological reference point: they have won two of their last three away matches against Inter. That recent history should at least give them some belief that this is not an impossible task.
Inter are likely to take the initiative, dominate the ball for longer stretches and try to pin Roma back with their usual positional structure and wing play. The challenge for them will be rediscovering their cutting edge and intensity in the final third, something that has been missing too often in recent weeks.
Roma, by contrast, are likely to focus on compactness, discipline and opportunism. They may not try to dominate long spells of possession, but they will look to frustrate, close central spaces and then attack the moments Inter leave behind when they push forward.
That means the game could be tighter than Inter would ideally want. If Roma can stay level for long enough, the pressure inside Giuseppe Meazza may begin to grow. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the teams could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
For Inter Milan, the biggest boost ahead of this important fixture is the likely return of captain Lautaro Martínez, who is in line to make his first start since February. His comeback could not be better timed given Inter’s recent dip in form, and even after his absence, he still leads the Serie A scoring charts with 14 league goals, underlining just how influential he remains. In contrast, Marcus Thuram has not been at his sharpest in recent weeks, although his recent goal for France may have given him a much-needed confidence lift heading into this match.
Francesco Pio Esposito has been pushing for a starting role after scoring Inter’s last two goals, but his difficult international outing may work against him in the final selection. At the back, Inter do have a few concerns. Yann Bisseck and Carlos Augusto have both been ruled out, which limits Cristian Chivu’s defensive options, while Alessandro Bastoni returns to club duty after a difficult international break and is still expected to start despite recent criticism. There are no major domestic suspension issues affecting this match, but the defensive absences may force Inter into a slightly reshuffled back line.
Tactically, Inter are expected to line up in their familiar 3-5-2 formation, a system that should allow them to dominate territory and use width effectively while keeping numbers in central areas. In goal, Yann Sommer is likely to start and will once again be relied upon for his calmness, positioning and distribution. The back three should consist of Manuel Akanji on the right, Francesco Acerbi in the centre, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left. Acerbi’s experience could be especially important here given the defensive injuries, while Bastoni’s ability to step out with the ball and help progress play remains a major part of how Inter build attacks. Akanji should provide balance and recovery pace on the right side of the defensive unit.
Across midfield, Inter are expected to use Denzel Dumfries as the right wing-back and Federico Dimarco on the left, with both players likely to be central to how the hosts stretch Roma and create attacking pressure. Dumfries should offer power and forward running down the right flank, while Dimarco brings crossing quality, technical precision and a constant threat from wider positions. In central midfield, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Piotr Zielinski are expected to form the trio. Barella should bring intensity and energy, Calhanoglu will likely operate as the deep-lying controller and main distributor, while Zielinski adds creativity and intelligent movement in advanced central areas. This midfield setup gives Inter both control and enough technical quality to dictate the rhythm of the match.
Up front, the expected pairing is Marcus Thuram alongside Lautaro Martinez. Thuram’s movement and ability to stretch defences should complement Lautaro’s sharper instincts in and around the box, while Lautaro himself will likely remain the emotional and tactical focal point of the side. His return gives Inter a more complete attacking reference and could be crucial in a match where they need to rediscover authority.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
AS Roma
Gian Piero Gasperini heads into this trip to Giuseppe Meazza with a mixed injury picture, particularly in attacking areas. The biggest positive is that both Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk are now closing in on returns, although this match may come slightly too soon for either to start from the outset. Roma are still without Evan Ferguson, who remains sidelined with an ankle problem, which means they continue to rely heavily on Donyell Malen as their main attacking outlet. Since arriving midway through January, Malen has quickly become a key figure and is now Roma’s most in-form attacking player.
There is further encouragement in the fact that both Matias Soule and Manu Kone have returned to full training, giving Gasperini more options in creative and midfield areas. However, Wesley has been ruled out after suffering a muscular injury while on international duty with Brazil, and he is expected to be unavailable for at least the next couple of weeks. There are no major suspension concerns reported for Roma ahead of this match, so the main challenge for Gasperini is deciding how much risk to take with players who are only just returning to fitness.
Tactically, Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, a system that should help them stay compact while also giving them enough support around their lone striker in transition. In goal, Mile Svilar is likely to start and will almost certainly be a crucial figure if Roma are to leave Giuseppe Meazza with a result, given the volume of pressure Inter are expected to create. The back three should consist of Gianluca Mancini on the right, Evan Ndicka in the centre, and Mario Hermoso on the left. Mancini’s aggression and leadership should be important in dealing with Inter’s movement, while Ndicka and Hermoso will be expected to keep the line compact and defend central spaces effectively.
Across midfield, Zeki Celik is expected to operate as the right wing-back and Kostas Tsimikas on the left, with both players likely to have a demanding evening against Inter’s wing-backs. Their role will be vital not only in defending wide areas but also in giving Roma a route forward when counter-attacking opportunities arise. In central midfield, Bryan Cristante and Neil El Aynaoui are expected to form the partnership. Cristante should provide experience, positional discipline and physicality, while El Aynaoui adds mobility and the ability to help Roma transition quickly through midfield when they win the ball back.
Further forward, Roma are expected to deploy Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini in the two advanced support roles behind Donyell Malen. Soule should offer direct running, creativity and the ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas, while Pellegrini’s intelligence and passing range could be crucial if Roma are to find moments between Inter’s midfield and defence.
Up front, Malen is expected to lead the line and will almost certainly be Roma’s main attacking threat. His pace, movement and confidence in front of goal make him the player most likely to hurt Inter if Roma can find space on the counter.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Tsimikas; Soule, Pellegrini; Malen
Key Stats
- Inter Milan are unbeaten in 13 of their 15 home Serie A matches this season.
- Inter have won 11 of their 15 home league games at Giuseppe Meazza this campaign.
- Roma have won two of their last three away Serie A matches against Inter Milan.
- Roma have taken 10 fewer points away from home than they have at home this season.
- Donyell Malen has scored seven Serie A goals since joining Roma in January.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martínez
All eyes will be on Lautaro Martínez as he returns to the starting lineup at a moment when Inter Milan need him most. His absence in recent weeks has coincided with a noticeable dip in Inter’s attacking sharpness and overall authority. While they have remained competitive, the edge that once made them so difficult to contain has not quite been the same. That is where Lautaro’s importance becomes clear.
Even after missing time, he still leads the Serie A scoring charts, and what makes his contribution even more valuable is the nature of his goals. Many of them have come in key moments, often breaking deadlocks and shifting momentum in Inter’s favour. In a match where Roma are likely to stay compact and disciplined, that ability to deliver in tight situations could prove decisive.
This is also a game where Inter may need more than just structure and possession. They will need someone capable of turning pressure into goals, someone who can find space in crowded areas and finish with conviction when chances are limited. Lautaro’s movement, instinct and ability to operate under pressure make him the ideal player for that role.
There is also a psychological element to his return. His presence alone lifts the team in intensity, in confidence and in belief. Against a Roma side that will likely look to frustrate and counter, having their captain back leading the line could be exactly what Inter need to reassert control. If Inter are to rediscover their rhythm and take a decisive step toward the Serie A title, Lautaro Martínez feels like the player most likely to make the difference.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-1 AS Roma
Roma are organised enough to make this difficult, and their recent record at Giuseppe Meazza suggests they will not arrive fearing the occasion. If they can keep the game tight and stay compact for long periods, they have the tools to make Inter uncomfortable, particularly in transition.
However, Inter’s need for a response, combined with the likely return of Lautaro Martínez, gives this the feel of a night where the hosts find a way. They may not dominate from start to finish, but at home, with the title race tightening, they should have enough quality and urgency to get over the line.
