Roma's Argentinian forward #18 Matias Soule (R) celebrates with a teammate after scoring his team first goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Roma at the San Siro stadium in Milan on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)
Rome: Inter Milan's defence of their Serie A title was hit with a setback on Sunday as they lost 1-0 at home to Roma.
No fixtures were played on Friday or Saturday because of the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, meaning the full round of Serie A matches take place on Sunday and Monday.
Inter Milan's Austrian forward #08 Marko Arnautovic fights for the ball with Roma's French midfielder #17 Manu Kone and Roma's Italian midfielder #4 Bryan Cristante during the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Roma at the San Siro stadium in Milan on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)
Matias Soule's first-half strike for Roma knocked Inter off top spot with new tabletoppers Napoli able to open up a three-point buffer when they host Torino later on Sunday.
"Three defeats in one week hurts, and we're not used to such a run," said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.
"It was a very important game, but we lacked a clear head. We need to try and get our energy back, and we'll go to Barcelona with a lot of respect for this team, but without fear."
Argentinian Soule stunned the San Siro when he slotted home coolly as the ball ping-ponged around the Inter box in the 22nd minute.
Roma's Italian coach Claudio Ranieri looks on before the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Roma at the San Siro stadium in Milan on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)
Inter Milan's Italian coach Simone Inzaghi reacts before the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Roma at the San Siro stadium in Milan on April 27, 2025. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)
The win moved Roma up to sixth place on 60 points, level with fourth-placed Bologna who occupy the final Champions League spot.
In another blow for Inter, they risk being without defender Benjamin Pavard for their upcoming Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona after the French international limped off in the 15th minute with an ankle issue.
