Inter Milan defeated AS Roma (1-0) thanks to a new goal from Marcus Thuram on the occasion of the return to San Siro of Romelu Lukaku, ridiculed by the Milanese fans, Sunday during the 10th day of the Italian Championship.
Thuram scored his fourth goal in Serie A in the Inter jersey, taking a point-blank cross from Federico Dimarco (81st). The French international had narrowly missed the opener earlier, but his recovery in the 15th minute was stopped by Roman goalkeeper Rui Patricio and his header then brushed the crossbar (48th).
Inter clearly dominated this meeting, but almost got surprised on one of the rare Roman chances, a header from Bryan Cristante (65th) repelled by Yann Sommer at the cost of a spectacular dive.
Lukaku never put himself in a position to score against his former club, where he spent three seasons, from 2019 to 2021 and last season. As they had announced, the Inter ultras gave a noisy welcome to the Belgian international whom they accused of treason after refusing an offer from Inter to return to Chelsea who sent him on loan to Roma.
On the route to the stadium taken by the Roma bus, fans had unfurled the banner “Infamous traitor, Milan is waiting for you” on a bridge. However, they were unable to distribute whistles, after the Milan police banned them, which did not prevent them from whistling Lukaku for each ball they touched. Thanks to this eighth success, Inter regains the lead in the Serie A standings with 25 points, and will retain it whatever the outcome of the clash between Naples and AC Milan in the evening (8:45 p.m.). AS Roma, which was deprived of its coach Jose Mourinho, suspended after his exclusion last weekend, is eighth.