The Decision Behind The Move
MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan midfielder Federico Dimarco celebrated his Serie A MVP award by scoring against Bologna as the Nerazzurri drew their final match of the season 3-3 on Saturday.
The match held minimal stakes since Inter had already secured the league title and the Italian Cup, while Bologna could not qualify for Europe. Inter coach Cristian Chivu granted players bound for the World Cup—Hakan Calhanoglu, Manuel Akanji, Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries—an extended break. Captain Lautaro Martínez started despite recently returning from injury, as he required additional playing time.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
The Job Ahead
Dimarco received his award moments before kickoff and opened the scoring with a 25-yard free kick finding the top right corner. Federico Bernardeschi equalized three minutes later, and Bologna took the lead before halftime when Tommaso Pobega's volley deflected twice.
Bologna had dropped half its home matches all season but looked poised for victory at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara until Piotr Zieliński converted a cross into his own net early in the second half. Pio Esposito pulled Inter within one goal in the 64th minute, tapping in the rebound after Andy Diouf's shot struck the post. Diouf scored himself in the 86th minute.
The Pressure That Remains
In Rome, Pedro delivered a 2-1 comeback victory for Lazio against already-relegated Pisa in his final appearance. The 38-year-old winger departs after five years with the capital club following spells at Barcelona, Chelsea and Roma, having won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and the European Championship two years later. Lazio players wore a commemorative patch honoring his departure.
Pisa took an early lead through Stefano Moreo, but Lazio responded within two minutes via Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Pedro.