Inter Rally Past Bologna 3-1 as Thuram and Substitutes Shine

Inter came from behind to beat Bologna 3-1 and preserve their unbeaten start at the top of Serie A after seven rounds, with Carlos Augusto and Ange-Yoan Bonny turning the match in the visitors’ favour after the interval. Tommaso Pobega’s 10th-minute opener had punished an early error, but Marcus Thuram’s header before half-time reset the contest and Inter’s substitutes decided it late on.

Match facts

Bologna struck first when Luis Henrique surrendered possession to Juan Miranda, allowing Pobega to finish clinically in the 10th minute. Inter did not lose control, however, and built sustained pressure through their midfield and back three. The visitors completed 683 passes and restricted Bologna to four attempts on target.

Nicolo Barella drove Inter’s response as captain, repeatedly carrying play forward and supplying the delivery for Thuram’s 44th-minute equaliser. The France forward rose to head in shortly before the break, a goal that changed the mood of the evening after Bologna’s promising opening.

Inter’s control became more decisive in the second half. Francesco Pio Esposito, booked in the 35th minute after a frustrated tackle, was replaced by Bonny in the 58th minute. Henrique’s difficult outing ended in the 69th minute when Andy Diouf entered, while Federico Dimarco also made way at that point.

The pivotal change was Carlos Augusto’s introduction. Piotr Zielinski created the opening for the wing-back, who scored with his first involvement to put Inter ahead in the 69th minute. Augusto later set up Bonny for the third goal, after the forward had first seen an effort ruled out for offside in the 82nd minute. Bonny responded immediately by scoring a minute later to end Bologna’s hopes of a recovery.

Thuram, who received a yellow card for simulation in the 61st minute, departed in the 79th minute for Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Hakan Calhanoglu also arrived late for Zielinski as Inter saw out the result. Augusto was cautioned in the 79th minute, while Petar Sucic had earlier hit the post in the 76th minute with the goal open.

Inter performances

Josep Martinez had little chance with Pobega’s finish and made three saves. Yann Aurel Bisseck recovered from some early positional uncertainty to contribute to a firmer defensive display, while Manuel Akanji stood out at the heart of the defence, organising the line and helping Inter play through Bologna’s pressure.

Alessandro Bastoni’s progressive distribution was important to Inter’s territorial dominance, even without a direct role in a goal. Zielinski combined controlled possession with a decisive assist for Augusto, and Barella’s influence in transition and his pass for Thuram made him one of Inter’s leading figures.

Dimarco offered width and regular deliveries from the left before his 69th-minute withdrawal. Sucic provided cover that enabled Barella to advance, although his missed opportunity off the post prevented a more comfortable finish. Henrique struggled to recover after the turnover that led to Bologna’s goal, prompting Christian Chivu to seek greater forward momentum through Diouf.

Bonny gave Inter a more physical presence up front after replacing Esposito, and his late goal capped an influential cameo. Augusto was the game’s defining substitute, scoring immediately and then creating the final goal. Chivu’s decisions to introduce both players proved central to a victory that reinforced Inter’s early Scudetto credentials.

Player ratings

• Josep Martinez: 6/10
• Yann Aurel Bisseck: 6.5/10
• Manuel Akanji: 8/10
• Alessandro Bastoni: 7.5/10
• Piotr Zielinski: 7.5/10
• Nicolo Barella: 8/10
• Federico Dimarco: 6.5/10
• Luis Henrique: 5/10
• Petar Sucic: 6.5/10
• Marcus Thuram: 7.5/10
• Francesco Pio Esposito: 5/10
• Carlos Augusto: 9/10
• Ange-Yoan Bonny: 8/10
• Andy Diouf: 6/10
• Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Not rated
• Hakan Calhanoglu: Not rated
• Christian Chivu: 8.5/10