Inter 3-1 Bologna: Chivu's Side Exorcises Supercoppa Ghosts to Reclaim Summit
Less than three weeks after a heartbreaking penalty shootout exit to Bologna in Riyadh, Inter Milan exacted ruthless revenge at San Siro. Lautaro Martínez inspired a dominant 3-1 victory that vaulted Cristian Chivu's men back to the top of a suffocating four-horse Serie A title race.
Revenge is a dish best served in front of 75,000 screaming Nerazzurri fans. Just 16 days after Bologna eliminated Inter from the Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals in Saudi Arabia, Cristian Chivu’s side delivered a tactical masterclass to dismantle their recent 'bogey team.' The 3-1 victory didn't just settle a score; it restored order at the Serie A summit, with Inter (39 points) leapfrogging bitter rivals AC Milan (38) and Napoli (37) to kick off 2026 in pole position.
The Chivu Blueprint: Suffocating the Rossoblu
While the headlines will belong to the scorers, the victory was forged in the dugout. Chivu, facing scrutiny after the Supercoppa exit, abandoned the cautious approach seen in Riyadh for a high-octane pressing game that stifled Vincenzo Italiano’s build-up play. Bologna, who had won three of the last five meetings between the sides, looked shell-shocked by the intensity.
The breakthrough in the 39th minute was a direct product of this pressure. Marcus Thuram, operating as the first line of defense, forced a turnover that allowed Lautaro Martínez to feed Piotr Zieliński. The Polish midfielder, who joined on a free transfer from Napoli in 2024, unleashed a laser-guided left-footed strike from the edge of the box—his first goal of the calendar year and a reminder of the depth at Chivu's disposal.
El Toro Chases the Immortals
Lautaro Martínez continues to carve his name into the marble of Inter’s history books. By powering home Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s corner just three minutes after the restart, the Argentine captain secured his 10th league goal of the 2025/26 campaign.
The historical weight of this goal is immense. Martínez has now hit double figures in seven different Serie A seasons. He is rapidly closing in on the club's all-time greats in this metric: only the legendary trio of Giuseppe Meazza (9 seasons), Benito Lorenzi (9), and Alessandro Altobelli (8) sit above him. At 28 years old, 'El Toro' looks destined to shatter those records before his time at the Giuseppe Meazza is done.
Thuram's 'Shoulder' and the Title Picture
The game was effectively put to bed in the 74th minute via a moment of fortune that Marcus Thuram’s work rate deserved. Federico Dimarco’s whipped corner took a deflection before cannoning off Thuram’s shoulder and into the net for his sixth of the season. Although 21-year-old Argentine talent Santiago Castro pulled one back for Bologna with a sharp left-footed finish in the 83rd minute, the damage was already done.
The result sets the stage for a monumental second half of the season. With Gasperini’s Roma and a resurgent Juventus also lurking, the margin for error is non-existent. Inter’s ability to bounce back from the Jeddah disappointment suggests they have the mental fortitude required for what is shaping up to be the tightest Scudetto race in a decade.
The Analyst's Verdict
Impact Rating: A-
This was a 'maturity check' for Chivu's Inter. Losing the Supercoppa could have derailed their league form, but the response was emphatic. The integration of Zieliński into a more advanced midfield role paid dividends, offering a goal threat that relieved the burden on Lautaro. However, conceding late to Castro—a player Inter scouts have reportedly watched closely—shows that defensive concentration remains a minor concern heading into the Champions League knockouts.
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Allegri’s Milan Grind Out Summit-Seizing Win in Sardinia: Leão the Difference
AC Milan commence 2026 with a tactical masterclass at the Unipol Domus, leapfrogging Inter to claim first place. A solitary Rafael Leão strike proved enough as Massimiliano Allegri’s side displayed a defensive resilience missing in previous campaigns.
Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa: Gunners Exact Ruthless Revenge to Go Five Points Clear
Mikel Arteta’s side ended 2025 with a title-defining statement, dismantling third-placed Aston Villa to open a five-point gap at the summit. In a clash billed as Unai Emery’s return to haunt his former club, Arsenal’s second-half blitz obliterated Villa’s 12-match unbeaten run.
La Fábrica 5-1 Real Betis: Gonzalo García’s Hat-Trick Demolishes La Liga’s Last Unbeaten Away Record
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