Inter Milan moved to the summit of Serie A with an extraordinary 2-0 victory over Venice, though the visitors barely needed their attacking prowess. Two own goals in as many minutes—from Matías Moreno in the 80th minute and Ridwan Hilhal in the 82nd—handed the Nerazzurri an improbable three points in the ninth round of fixtures. The result lifted Inter to 25 points, establishing them as early season frontrunners despite a performance that would ordinarily demand a more convincing scoreline.
While Inter benefited from defensive calamity at the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo, AC Milan suffered a far more traumatic evening 150 kilometres south. Bologna orchestrated a stunning comeback to win 4-2 at the San Siro, with Samuel Mbangula completing a hat-trick that left the Rossoneri shell-shocked. The result condemned Milan to fifth place on 18 points, a fall that underscores the volatility gripping Serie A this season.
Bologna's Extraordinary Turnaround
Bologna's recovery defied the script written in the opening minutes. Mbangula broke the deadlock early when Nadir Zortea teed him up in the 8th minute. Fodé Ballo-Touré levelled for Milan in the 14th minute, then added a second seven minutes later to give the home side a commanding 2-1 advantage at the interval.
The second half unfolded in nightmarish fashion for Milan. A catastrophic 60-second spell in the 61st and 62nd minutes rewired the entire match. First, Milan defender Davide Bartesaghi deflected the ball into his own net to make it 2-2. Before Milan could reorganise, Mbangula struck again—his pass from Juan Miranda putting Bologna ahead. A third own goal moment never materialised, yet the psychological damage was done. Mbangula sealed his hat-trick in the 86th minute after a precise assist from Jens Odgaard, confirming Bologna's most unlikely of victories.
Own Goals Define the Ninth Round
Own goals have featured prominently in Serie A's opening weeks, with defensive lapses costing teams dearly. Inter's two-minute gift from Venice represents the season's most concentrated bout of self-sabotage, yet Bologna's comeback hinged equally on Milan's unforced errors. Across both matches, four own goals decided outcomes that clean defending would have contested far differently. This pattern suggests structural vulnerabilities in defending set-piece situations and transitions—areas where tactical discipline remains inconsistent across Italy's elite.
Inter travel next seeking to convert their table-topping position into a sustained title challenge, while Milan must urgently address the defensive frailties that cost them three points in humbling fashion at home. Bologna's aggressive setup and movement in the final third proved decisive, demonstrating that superior organisation can punish careless opponents regardless of pedigree.
