MILAN (Reuters) – Champions Inter Milan thrashed Bologna 6-1 at the San Siro on Saturday to return to the top of Serie A in style.
Lautaro Martinez wasted no time in edging Inter in front, latching onto a pinpoint Denzel Dumfries cross to score for the third successive league match in the sixth minute.
The home side remained well on top and were soon in total control, with a Milan Skriniar header and Nicolo Barella’s first of the season putting Inter three up before halftime.
The goalscoring was not over as Inter refused to let up. Matias Vecino tapped home at the far post to make it 4-0 in the 54th minute, before a brilliant dummy from Martinez set up strike partner Edin Dzeko for a fifth goal nine minutes later.
Substitute Alexis Sanchez then created the opening for Dzeko to add a sixth with 22 minutes still left to play, but Simone Inzaghi’s side relented after that, with Arthur Theate adding a late consolation for the visitors.
The victory ensured Inter climbed above AS Roma, who play Hellas Verona on Sunday, to go back to the top of the table having taken 10 points from a possible 12 so far, while Bologna’s first defeat of the season leaves them seventh.
(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Toby Davis)
