Inter beat Roma 2 - 0 in the capital

We keep pushing. Two goals, another clean sheet, another win on the road. A fourth consecutive league win, a fifth victory in a row in all competitions, and lots of cohesion, determination, selflessness and brilliant ideas. Inter produced a really solid and clinical display. It finished 2-0 in Rome, with Dimarco opening the scoring in the first half and Lukaku sealing it after the restart. Three vital points ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg.

There was a mix of potentially dangerous ingredients: today's game was a vital one in the race for the top four, and it came just before the Champions League semi-finals. Nevertheless, Inter were excellent and full of running, playing with clear heads. Brozovic was the architect and dominated the midfield area, always looking to combine with his teammates. He found them everywhere, right from the start of the match. He had Dumfries and Dimarco to pick out down the flanks, while Barella and Calhanoglu were always there to provide an option. Things were working well for Inter, even if Roma - beset with absences but with the desire to do well - initially made a bright start.

It was clear that Inter didn't want to leave anything to chance, with Acerbi, Dumfries and Brozovic closing down their opponents very well. It wasn't a particularly good spectacle, with many clashes and interruptions throughout the game. Often, there were long discussions with the referee. Inzaghi's men needed to keep their focus, and this is exactly what they did. With the half-hour mark having passed, and with Roma struggling to get the ball off Inter, Brozovic played a lovely pass to Dumfries. The Dutchman raced forward before sending in a precise cross into the area, where Dimarco was waiting at the far post to score. A crucial finish that saw Federico make it six goals (in addition to six assists) for the season.

Roma were relying heavily on set-pieces and individual inspiration. However, the Nerazzurri defenders stood firm, leaving Belotti with no space with his back to goal. Then, when there was the opportunity, Inter looked to strike on the break, with Barella heavily involved when the team countered. At the back, Inter had to dig in, and they were also grateful to Onana. Indeed, when Roma were at their most dangerous, the Nerazzurri shot-stopper produced a fantastic stop to thwart Ibanez. Inzaghi's changes helped combat the hosts' pressing. Then, Lautaro regained possession in the final third following Ibanez's mistake and sent Lukaku through on goal with only Rui Patricio to beat. Romelu's finish was powerful and precise and put the game to bed. The Nerazzurri almost added a third late on through Lautaro, who was denied by the crossbar. The interruptions continued, but Inzaghi's men were the ones smiling at the end of stoppage time. A vital Inter victory!

ROMA 0-2 INTER

Goalscorer: 33' Dimarco (I), 74' Lukaku (I)

ROMA (3-5-1-1): 1 Rui Patricio; 23 Mancini, 4 Cristante, 3 Ibañez; 59 Zalewski (58 Missori 93'), 20 Camara (76 Pisilli 93'), 8 Matic (68 Tahirovic 93'), 52 Bove (21 Dybala 72'), 37 Spinazzola; 7 Pellegrini; 11 Belotti (9 Abraham 75'). Substitutes: 63 Boer, 99 Svilar, 6 Smalling, 14 Llorente, 18 Solbakken, 25 Wijndaldum, 60 Keramitsis, 62 Volpato, 82 Falasca, 92 El Shaarawy. Coach: José Mourinho.

INTER (3-5-2): 24 Onana; 36 Darmian, 15 Acerbi, 95 Bastoni; 2 Dumfries (12 Bellanova 60'), 23 Barella (5 Gagliardini 82'), 77 Brozovic, 20 Calhanoglu (22 Mkhitaryan 71'), 32 Dimarco (6 De Vrij 71'); 90 Lukaku, 11 Correa (10 Lautaro 60'). Substitutes: 1 Handanovic, 21 Cordaz, 9 Dzeko, 14 Asllani, 45 Carboni, 46 Zanotti, 47 Fontanarosa. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Mancini (R), Pellegrini (R), Lautaro (I), Spinazzola (R), Gagliardini (I) Added time: 4' - 6'. Referee: Maresca. Assistants: Imperiale, Bresmes. Fourth official: Colombo. VAR: Di Paolo. VAR assistant: Paganessi.

MATCHDAY 34

Saturday 6 May Milan 2-0 Lazio Roma 0-2 Inter Cremonese vs. Spezia 20:45 CEST

Sunday 7 May Atalanta vs. Juventus 12:30 CEST Torino vs. Monza 15:00 CEST Napoli vs. Fiorentina 18:00 CEST Lecce vs. Verona 20:45 CEST

Monday 8 May Udinese vs. Sampdoria 18:30 CEST Empoli vs. Salernitana 18:30 CEST Sassuolo vs. Bologna 20:45 CEST

TABLE

Napoli 80 Lazio 64* Juventus 63 Inter 63* Milan 61* Atalanta 58 Roma 58* Fiorentina 46 Bologna 45 Monza 45 Torino 45 Udinese 43 Sassuolo 43 Salernitana 35 Empoli 35 Lecce 31 Spezia 27 Hellas 27 Cremonese 21 Sampdoria 17

*one more game played