Inter Thrash Roma at the Olimpico

The games between Roma and Inter have become a modern classic, taking on the same kind of rivalry like some of the Italian derbies. Inter went into the game as given favorites considering the poor form Roma has shown this term.

The highly anticipated clash in the Eternal city saw Totti back in the Giallorossi shirt, but what did that help with when Inter had pure magic from a stunning Ibracadabra.

Ibrahimovic scored Inter’s and his first goal just five minutes into game. The Swede meets up on Maicon’s pass and breaks the offside trap and to gracefully chip the ball over Doni.

It’s all Inter during the first 20 minutes of the game. Quaresma’s corner kick is intercepted by Juan who tries to clear; Stankovic meets up and puts the ball back into the penalty area only for the same Juan to nearly put the ball into his own net.

Both Roma and Inter then go on to create a number of chances through Maicon, De Rossi and Quaresma after which the tempo goes down a considerable amount.

30 minutes into the game Quaresma’s cross is met by Ibrahimovic’s header – forcing Loria to make a vital interception.

Vucinic receives the first booking for dissent as Perotta – standing in an offside position – chips the ball into goal with the Inter players frantically waving their arms. Opportunities for both Vucinic and Maicon are closely followed.

Taddei shots the ball over the crossbar with five minutes remaining of the first half after a nice Roma-build-up from Vucinic, Totti and De Rossi.

In the last minute of the first half Totti meets a Cicinho cross and volleys the ball back into the box to Vucinic whose header goes over the crossbar after deflecting off on Cordoba.

Inter kicks off the second half in the same fashion as Ibrahimovic scores his second goal for the evening. The Sweden international beats both Juan and Loria, who was simply awful this evening and puts the ball away behind Doni after horrible defense work from the duo.

A minute later Cicinho has a golden opportunity to bring Roma back into the game as his shot is deflected from Cesar onto his head, but unfortunately for him it goes wide over the crossbar. Roma then continues on to creating a number of chances in quick succession and forces Cesar into action.

Ten minutes into the second half Stankovic scores a stunner as he volleys a shot in from 20 yard and the scoreline read 3-0 to Inter at the Olimpico. Before the Roma players can catch their breaths it’s time for another Inter player to add his name to the score-sheet as Obinna dribbles away his markers and strikes a projectile that finds the roof of the net.

Roma’s defense has been non-existent this evening and there is no mercy from the Nerazzuri as they continue on to producing chances. The few opportunities created by Roma in the second half has been wasted.

In the 68th minute both Spalletti and Mourinho make their first substitutions. Menez comes in for the Roma captain who after a month on the sidelines still manages to be Roma’s best player for evening while Quaresma makes way for former Roma man, Mancini.

Another great opportunity shortly after for the Nerazzuri to add to the score-sheet through Maicon, but his header meets the near post.

With 15 minutes remaining of them game Spalletti brings on Okaka instead of Taddei to try and make for a goal.

Chivu receives Inter’s first booking the minute after. The resulting free kick from Riise brings a worthy save out of Cesar. The following corner is shot over the crossbar by Menez.

In the 78th minute both tacticians make additional changes as Brighi comes in for Perrotta and Dacourt for Cruz. The substitution immediately brings down the tempo on the match as Inter stay in possession of the ball while Roma obviously has given up.

With eight minutes remaining Mourinho makes his final substitution as he brings in Cruz instead of Ibrahimovic who has easily been the best player this evening.

The remaining minutes go by without any real chances expect for the exceptional Muntari whose shot goes wide of the mark.

The Nerazzuri were firing on all cylinders tonight and largely dominated the game as they defeated a Roma that lacked concentration, determination, creativity and who on top of that clearly had given up a long deal before the final whistle.

The final scoreline reads 4-0 to Inter, a well deserved win for Mourinho’s men as they sail up to first place on 16 points while Roma remain on 14th place. Spalletti will be under much pressure following his side’s fourth defeat this season as their crises continues to deepen.