Inter stretched the advantage in the Serie A title race with a 5-2 victory over Roma, powered by two goals from Lautaro Martinez and a starring display from Marcus Thuram. The result moved Inter nine points clear at the top, while also underlining the renewed link between Martinez and Thuram after recent injury problems.

Opta’s supercomputer increased Inter’s Scudetto probability to 94% after this result, adding more weight to a decisive evening for Simone Inzaghi’s side. AC Milan, second in the table, face Napoli on Monday, but Inter’s high-scoring win over Cristian Chivu’s Roma already placed major pressure on the chasing pack in Serie A.

Martinez marked a first appearance since suffering a muscle injury in February with a ruthless brace. Those goals lifted Martinez level with Paulo Dybala on 131 Serie A strikes, the joint-third highest total for an Argentine in the competition. Martinez also became the first Inter player to score twice on Easter since Adriano in April 2004.

The chemistry between Martinez and Thuram returned quickly. Thuram produced two assists for Martinez, becoming the first Inter player to set up the same teammate twice in a Serie A match since Nicolo Barella did so for Martinez on 4 March 2022. Thuram later added a header, giving Inter’s attack another powerful outlet.

Inter’s scoring pattern showed early intensity and control after half-time. Martinez struck in the first minute, finishing high into the net from Thuram’s cross. Mancini levelled, but Calhanoglu restored the lead with a powerful strike in first-half stoppage time. After the interval, Inter accelerated, with Thuram and Martinez again combining for the third goal.

Thuram then headed in on 55 minutes, before Barella completed Inter’s tally. Roma responded through Lorenzo Pellegrini 20 minutes from time, yet the visitors never threatened a full comeback. This was the ninth occasion Inter scored at least five against Roma in Serie A, and the first such instance since 2011, highlighting a dominant matchup history.

Post-match, Thuram stressed how much Martinez’s return meant in a decisive stage of the season. “I did miss him, but Pio and Bonny are very important to the team too,” Thuram admitted to DAZN Italia.”It’s true I have a special bond with Lauti. He is our captain and sets the example in the most difficult moments. He did that in the first minute, and we are so glad he’s back with us.”

Martinez focused on the bigger picture and the title race, emphasising Inter’s mentality against strong opposition. “This was a head-to-head, a very important match for the table, for our journey, for a signal to ourselves,” Martinez added. “We needed to get out there with the right attitude, because Roma are a very strong team, who play man for man. We are happy, Thuram made the difference, as he usually does. Everyone can have a dip in form, so I won’t say he’s back, but he was great.”

The evening brought tactical control, clinical finishing, and key milestones for Martinez, while Thuram delivered assists and a goal in a single performance. Inter’s attacking fluency, historical scoring record against Roma and growing points gap in Serie A together underlined why this win carried major weight in the Scudetto chase.