The Part That Changes The Math
MILAN — Federico Dimarco marked his Serie A MVP honor with a spectacular free kick, curling a 25-yard effort into the top right corner to open the scoring as Inter Milan salvaged a 3-3 draw at Bologna on Saturday in both clubs' final match of the season.
The Nerazzurri had nothing tangible riding on the result — they'd clinched the league title weeks earlier and added the Italian Cup last month — while Bologna had already been eliminated from European qualification contention. Still, there was movement in the attack. Captain Lautaro Martínez started despite a recent return from injury, needing minutes rather than rest. Coach Cristian Chivu granted an extra week off to four players heading to the World Cup: Hakan Calhanoglu, Manuel Akanji, Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
The Detail Worth Keeping
Bologna responded swiftly. Federico Bernardeschi leveled three minutes after Dimarco's strike, and the hosts went ahead just before halftime when Tommaso Pobega's volley deflected twice past YannSommer. The game tilted again early in the second half when Inter midfielder Piotr Zieliński turned a cross into his own net.
PioEsposito pulled one back in the 64th minute, tapping in a rebound after AndyDiouf's effort bounced off the post. Diouf then sealed his own brace in the 86th.
Where It Goes From Here
In Rome, Pedro closed his five-year Lazio chapter with the winning goal in a 2-1 comeback against already-relegated Pisa. The 38-year-old winger, departing the capital club, leaves with a résumé that includes a World Cup with Spain in 2010 and a European Championship two years prior. Stefano Moreo had given Pisa an early lead, but Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Pedro replied within two minutes to seal the turnaround.
Lazio wore a commemorative patch honoring their departing veteran, whose career also spanned Barcelona and Chelsea before arriving in Rome.