Inter Milan Humiliates Roma as Second Place Slips Away #2663
A.S Roma Women vs Inter Women
A.S Roma 0 Inter 3FT
Roma Women step into Milan for a pivotal encounter on the fourth matchday of the playoff round, with the intensity of the season’s second phase adding extra weight to the occasion. Milan, Italy’s epicenter of fashion, finance, and football, serves as the perfect stage for a high-stakes battle. The towering Duomo di Milano symbolizes ambition and resilience — qualities mirrored by both teams as they prepare for war on the pitch. Beneath the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, fan discussions echo through the city’s vibrant streets, as excitement builds ahead of the clash at Stadio Arena Civica Gianni Brera. Milan’s dynamic energy intertwines with the anticipation of a match that is about far more than just three points. For Roma, this campaign has fallen short of expectations. After two seasons of dominance, winning the league by 11 points last year and 13 the year before, their control over Italian women’s football seemed undeniable. However, that balance has now shifted, with Juventus reclaiming their grip on the league. The upcoming summer transfer window may bring significant squad changes, with Anna Serturini and long-time captain Elisa Bartoli’s departures speculated to be major factors behind Roma’s dip in form. Losing key players like Verena Hanshaw and Saki Kumagai only further complicated their struggles. Yet, amid Roma’s turbulent season, Manuela Giugliano has remained a standout performer, earning a Ballon d’Or nomination — a testament to her brilliance despite the team’s inconsistency. A slow start derailed Roma’s season, and they never truly recovered. Unlike past campaigns, they have yet to hold second place at any point this year. Third place is secured, guaranteeing their return to the Champions League, but the fall from grace is evident. In the previous two seasons, Roma never spent a single matchday in third — a stark contrast to their current predicament. Injuries, inconsistency, and missing players have played a role in their difficulties, leaving second place as their last real objective, aside from the Coppa Italia final, which now holds greater significance. Tonight’s clash against Inter Milan, the league’s most improved team, presents a decisive moment. The two sides have already met three times this season — their first encounter ended in a draw, followed by Inter Milan’s victory late in the regular season, a match marred by Valentina Giacinti’s controversial sending-off. However, Roma responded weeks ago, coming from behind to win in the playoff round. A defeat here could spell the end of Roma’s hopes for second place, which carries crucial importance due to Champions League qualification routes. Finishing third means a significantly tougher path to the group stage. With their dreams of a three-peat already gone, Roma find themselves in a must-win situation. Anything less than three points would likely erase their shot at finishing runners-up. Juventus are poised to lift the title, but second place remains within reach — if Roma can deliver tonight. As the defending champions enter enemy territory, this clash in Milan stands as one of the most critical matches of their season.
Roma set an aggressive tone from the opening minute, nearly striking first when Haavi collected the ball on the left wing, cut inside, and unleashed a curling shot that rattled off the right post — a near-perfect start that just lacked the final touch. Inter Milan wasted no time responding with a similar threat. In the 3rd minute, they won a corner, whipping the ball into the box where Ivana Andrés met it with a strong header, only for the ball to crash against the post in dramatic fashion. Momentum soon shifted Inter’s way as they took full advantage of an attacking opportunity. In the 5th minute, Marija Milinković floated a long ball over the top, which Tessa Wullaert chased down near the right post. She sent a precise cross into the area, where Lina Magull flicked a header forward. Elisa Polli was in the perfect position to nod the ball into the back of the net, handing Inter Milan a 1–0 lead inside 10 minutes. Roma attempted to respond through possession-based play, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. In the 17th minute, Kathrine Kühl delivered a well-placed pass to Aaliyah Pilgrim, who got her head on the ball, but Cecilia Runarsdóttir reacted quickly to make the save. Despite Roma’s efforts, Inter controlled the tempo while maintaining their advantage. Inter nearly doubled their lead in the 21st minute, as Olivia Schough fired a powerful shot at Roma’s goal, forcing Camellia Caesar into action with a strong save. The home side continued pressing, creating another dangerous moment in the 28th minute when Beatrice Merlo worked a sequence with Schough, who returned the ball to Merlo inside the box. She sent a cross into the area, where Henrietta Csiszar connected on a header, but the ball drifted wide. Roma saw a glimmer of opportunity in the 34th minute, attempting to break forward on a counterattack. However, they lost possession, allowing Inter Milan to strike back quickly. Tessa Wullaert found space and fired toward goal, but Caesar was there to deny the chance. With the first half winding down, Roma launched one last push. In the 44th minute, Manuela Giugliano delivered a pass to Lucia Di Guglielmo, who then fed the ball to Pilgrim. The Swiss winger showcased her quick footwork, cutting onto her right side and unleashing a curler toward goal. Despite the promising buildup, her effort rose just over the bar, leaving Roma frustrated at the break.
At halftime, Inter Milan held a 1–0 lead, courtesy of Elisa Polli’s early strike. Despite Roma seeing more of the ball, their possession meant little, as Inter consistently broke through with dangerous attacks. Other than Haavi’s effort that struck the post early on, Roma struggled to create meaningful chances. If they were going to stay in contention for second place, a vastly improved second-half display was needed. Inter wasted no time applying pressure again. In the 49th minute, they won an early corner, delivering the ball into the box. A header was directed toward goal, but Camellia Caesar reacted well to make the save before Sanne Troelsgaard cleared it off the line. Roma soon created an opportunity of their own. In the 55th minute, Haavi pushed forward, reclaiming possession from Inter near their own area. She threaded a perfect pass into the box, where Aaliyah Pilgrim arrived at the right time, but her touch sent the ball agonizingly wide of the post. The Swiss winger stood frozen in disbelief, knowing how close she had come. Inter responded swiftly. In the 60th minute, they won a free kick, sending the ball into the box. Moeka Minami cleared the danger with a header, but Olivia Schough followed up and struck the ball into the wall off the clearance. Roma remained determined, with Kathrine Kühl finding Troelsgaard in the 64th minute, who fired toward goal, but Cecilia Runarsdóttir made the save. Then came the moment of reassurance for Inter Milan. In the 71st minute, a ball was delivered into Roma’s box. Troelsgaard attempted to clear it but accidentally redirected it into her own net, giving Inter a 2–0 lead — a devastating blow for Roma. Inter sought to widen their margin further. In the 80th minute, Haley Bugeja embarked on a solo run, gliding through midfield. She was chased by defenders but managed to unleash a shot, forcing Caesar into a save that deflected onto the top of the net. Inter played the resulting corner short, sending the ball into Olivia Schough, who struck from outside the box. Though her effort was slightly mishit, it hung in the air — Elisa Bartoli capitalized, dragging her foot against it to send the ball soaring into the top corner. Bartoli, a former Roma captain, played 133 matches for the club, winning two league titles and two Coppa Italia. Now, she delivered a crucial third goal against her former side, further cementing Inter Milan’s grip on a Champions League place. The final whistle confirmed a 3–0 victory for Inter Milan, handing Roma their second consecutive loss. Not only did they fail to score for only the second time all season, but second place now appears out of reach, leaving Roma to settle for third place as their title defense crumbles.
Frustration continues to mount as Roma’s season winds down, with ambitions of a third consecutive title now nothing more than a distant dream. Their dominance over the past two years had been nothing short of extraordinary, leading many to believe that a power shift was underway. Roma had finally figured out how to handle Juventus, their biggest obstacle, and individual accolades further highlighted their rise. However, this season has been a far cry from the certainty and control they once had. In previous campaigns, Juventus was Roma’s only true challenge. They rarely faltered outside of those encounters, but this season has exposed deeper vulnerabilities. Roma has now suffered six defeats across all competitions — a stark contrast to last season, where they lost just one regular-season match and left only three points on the table throughout the league campaign. Their near-perfect form had placed them on a pedestal, yet they have fallen spectacularly. The struggles have been evident at various points, including a Copa Italia quarterfinal scare against Napoli. Injuries, inconsistency, and misfiring performances have contributed to an erratic season where Roma has remained better than most but not good enough where it matters. Inter Milan was fully deserving of their 3–0 victory, proving superior in every aspect. Statistics don’t tell the full story, but they certainly paint a grim picture — Roma registered just nine shots, with four on target, well below their usual attacking output of 10–20 shots per match. Meanwhile, Inter Milan dominated with 19 total shots, nine of them on target, a reflection of their control throughout the match. This lack of production signals that changes must come in the summer. Roma’s defense needs reinforcement, with Minami staying but another center-back required. Their attack remains stacked on paper, boasting talents like Evelyne Viens, Haavi, Valentina Giacinti, Glionna, Aaliyah Pilgrim, and midfielders capable of contributing goals. However, adjustments will be necessary with Dragoni returning to Barcelona after her loan spell. The defeat was more than just a tactical breakdown — it was a symbolic moment, further cementing Roma’s fading control. Seeing long-time captain Elisa Bartoli score against them was painful, given her 133 matches for Roma, helping them secure two league titles and two Coppa Italias. There were some bright spots, as Manuela Giugliano played well, Haavi remained productive, and Pilgrim showcased her skill, nearly scoring on multiple occasions. However, none of it mattered against Inter Milan’s dominance, as the home side dictated the match from start to finish. Given Roma’s talent and depth, such a comprehensive loss should never have happened — even against an improved Inter Milan side. With second place slipping away, Roma now sits four points behind, having lost three of their last four league matches — more defeats than in the entirety of last season. Spugna’s coaching credentials remain strong after guiding the club to two league titles and five trophies, with the possibility of adding a Coppa Italia. However, his position is fragile heading into next season. Roma must challenge for the title — there is no excuse for settling below that standard. They were in the race but never truly threatened Juventus, leading to their inevitable downfall. Now, everything rides on the Coppa Italia. Winning it would at least offer a consolation prize, but for a club that built expectations of dominance, this season has fallen far short of their ambitions.
