AC Milan's Inter secured a hard-fought comeback victory over Bologna in the seventh round of the Italian championship, turning the match around after conceding an early goal. Cristian Chivu's team was trailing within the opening ten minutes, but managed not only to equalize before halftime but also to score twice against the hosts in the second half, finishing with a 3:1 scoreline in favor of the visitors. The match proved telling: the Milan side approached it in a difficult mindset and then demonstrated character, which will undoubtedly serve them well in their upcoming European fixtures.
Context: Pressure After Brugge and the Absence of the Captain
Ahead of this match, Inter was going through a tough period. In the Champions League, the Nerazzurri lost to Belgian side Club Brugge with a score of 3:4, putting pressure on the team to regain confidence in the domestic league. The situation was exacerbated by a personnel blow: due to a thigh injury, captain and top scorer Lautaro Martínez was unavailable to the coaching staff. Under these exact conditions, Bologna attempted to exploit their opponent's problems and set the tone right at the start of the match.
First Half: Hosts' Fast Start and Thuram's Equalizer
Bologna seized their chance in the 10th minute when Juan Miranda delivered a pass to Tommaso Pobega, who opened the scoring with a precise strike. However, the conceded goal did not knock the visitors off balance — Inter began actively searching for opportunities at the opponent's goal, while the hosts tried to contain the away attacks and protect their narrow lead. Milan managed to equalize shortly before the break: in the 44th minute, Nicolò Barella provided an assist, and Marcus Thuram headed the ball into the net. The teams went into halftime tied at 1:1.
Second Half: The Turning Point and Carlos Augusto's Brace
In the second half, Inter continued to press the hosts' defense and eventually achieved their goal. In the 69th minute, Piotr Zieliński assisted Carlos Augusto, who put the visitors ahead — this goal became the turning point of the match. Bologna tried to revive the intrigue, but instead of an equalizer conceded a third goal: in the 83rd minute, Carlos Augusto turned provider, and Ange-Yoan Bonni completed the attack with a precise shot, sealing the Milan club's victory. Final goalscorers: Pobega 10 — Thuram 44, Carlos Augusto 69, Bonni 83.
Perspective: Shakhtar and the Champions League
Inter's next opponent will be Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk: the teams will meet on October 21 in Italy as part of the Champions League. For Shakhtar, this encounter will be a continuation of their schedule following a recent tough victory over Kolos Kovalivka. Thus, the comeback in Bologna became not only three crucial points in Serie A for Inter, but also an important psychological boost ahead of their direct clash with the Ukrainian club in Europe.
