Inter Milan claimed an extraordinary 2-0 victory at Venezia in Serie A's ninth round, though the nature of their win ranked among the most unusual in recent memory. The Nerazzurri controlled possession throughout but found the breakthrough only in the closing stages—courtesy of two catastrophic defensive blunders from the home side. Matías Moreno deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper in the 80th minute, followed two minutes later by Ridouane Halhal repeating the error. Inter's three points propelled them to the summit with 25 points, while AC Milan suffered a humbling 4-2 defeat at home to Bologna, sliding to fifth place on 18 points.
The San Siro collapse unfolded with breathtaking speed. Fodé Ballo-Touré handed Milan an apparent commanding position, scoring twice in the first half to put the Rossoneri 2-1 ahead after an early Samuel Mbangula opener. Yet one devastating minute—between the 61st and 62nd—dismantled Milan's superiority entirely. Defender Davide Bartesaghi deflected a cross into his own net to level at 2-2, and before Milan could reorganise, Mbangula capitalised on a Juan Miranda pass to restore Bologna's advantage.
Mbangula's Historic Performance Seals Comeback
The forward completed a hat-trick in the 86th minute following a precise assist from Jens Odgaard, cementing one of Serie A's most dramatic turnarounds. Bologna's ability to recover from 2-1 down and score three goals in the second half exposed fundamental fragility in Milan's defensive organisation. This marked a severe setback for the Rossoneri's title ambitions, with their attacking prowess unable to compensate for lapses at the back.
Inter's path to the top, meanwhile, highlighted the unpredictable nature of football—even dominant performances can hinge on opposition mistakes. The Nerazzurri's controlled display went unnoticed until Venezia gifted them successive own goals, a rarity that underscored both Inter's composure and their opponent's misfortune. With 25 points from nine matches, Inter now faces mounting pressure to maintain their lead as the season unfolds across the remaining fixtures.
- Inter defeated Venezia 2-0 through two own goals in the final minutes
- Bologna overturned a 2-1 deficit to win 4-2 against Milan
- Samuel Mbangula scored a hat-trick in Bologna's comeback
- Fodé Ballo-Touré's brace proved insufficient as Milan conceded three in 25 minutes
- Inter top Serie A with 25 points; Milan drops to fifth on 18
The ninth round exposed Serie A's unpredictability, where tactical dominance and individual brilliance can be eclipsed by defensive calamities. Milan's next challenge demands immediate restoration of defensive solidity, while Inter must convert their league-leading position into sustained results as the campaign progresses.
