Inter Milan’s struggles continued at Bologna on Sunday as Riccardo Orsolini’s stoppage-time bicycle kick handed Bologna a 1-0 victory, leaving Inter level with second-placed Napoli with just five rounds remaining in Serie A.
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi expressed frustration after the defeat, saying, “It hurts conceding a goal like that so late, but the season doesn’t end here in Bologna. We still have many goals to chase, and we’ll bounce back.”
The loss brought back memories of a goalkeeping error by Ionut Radu three years ago, which handed Bologna a victory that helped AC Milan secure the title. Inter had also lost to Bologna in a rainstorm the following season. Last year, they won at Bologna but couldn’t recover in time for a Champions League elimination after expending too much energy in the match.
This time, the match was decided in stoppage time when Inter defender Yann Bisseck flicked on a long throw-in to Orsolini, who acrobatically volleyed it past the keeper, sending the Renato Dall’Ara stadium into a frenzy.
With Inter chasing a treble this season, including crucial Champions League and Italian Cup fixtures, Inzaghi had called Bologna’s match the biggest of the season. However, the defeat now puts Inter level on points with Napoli, which isn’t involved in other competitions and can focus entirely on their quest for a second title in three years. Napoli also piled pressure on Inter with a 1-0 win at last-placed Monza on Saturday.
Bologna’s win moved them up to fourth, just ahead of Juventus, who will face Parma on Monday.
Looking ahead, Inter has a packed schedule, starting with the second leg of the Italian Cup semifinals against Milan on Wednesday, after the first leg ended 1-1. Inter will then play Roma at home before heading to Barcelona for the first leg of their Champions League semifinal next weekend. Bologna could also meet Inter in the Cup final after their dominant 3-0 victory over Empoli in the first leg of their semifinal.
If Inter and Napoli finish the season tied on points, they will meet in a one-off match to determine the Serie A champion.
In other Serie A action, Atalanta defeated AC Milan 1-0 to stay in third place, now four points ahead of Bologna. Milan dropped to ninth, six points behind Roma, who hold the Conference League spot. Meanwhile, Empoli and Venezia drew 2-2, leaving both teams in the relegation zone.
