Roma and Inter Maintain Perfect Starts as Serie A Race Heats Up

AS Roma and Inter Milan maintained their perfect starts to the new Serie A season on Monday, with both clubs winning their fourth consecutive league matches to move to 12 points at the top of the table.

Roma took sole possession of first place on goal difference after beating Torino 2-0 away, while defending champions Inter produced another dramatic comeback to defeat Udinese 5-3 at San Siro.

The two sides are now level on points after four rounds and will meet in their next Serie A fixture, setting up an early top-of-the-table clash.

Malen continues scoring run for Roma

Roma’s strong start has been driven in part by Donyell Malen, who scored his sixth goal of the season in Monday’s victory.

The Dutch forward opened the scoring in the 39th minute at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, capitalising on a mistake by Torino goalkeeper Franco Israel.

Roma had to wait until stoppage time to secure the result. Niccolò Pisilli scored in the 93rd minute to seal a 2-0 victory for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

Malen’s six goals have come in Roma’s opening four league matches, underlining the impact of the former Aston Villa forward since joining the club.

The victory also gave Roma their best start to a Serie A campaign since 2014-15, according to Italian football reports.

Roma had entered the match after drawing 1-1 with Fenerbahce in the Champions League, but responded with another league victory to remain unbeaten domestically.

Inter stage another two-goal comeback

Inter’s victory was considerably more dramatic.

Udinese stunned the home crowd by taking a 2-0 lead inside the opening 16 minutes.

James Abankwah headed Udinese in front in the ninth minute before Jurgen Ekkelenkamp doubled the advantage seven minutes later.

Inter responded before half-time.

Carlos Augusto reduced the deficit in the 26th minute before Nicolo Barella brought the teams level shortly before the interval.

Marcus Thuram then completed Inter’s turnaround in the second half, scoring to put the champions ahead.

Francesco Pio Esposito added a fourth before Ange-Yoan Bonny made it 5-2. Idrissa Gueye scored a late consolation for Udinese, but Inter held on for another three points.

The result was Inter’s second consecutive league comeback from two goals down. They had also overturned a 2-0 deficit against Napoli in their previous Serie A match, eventually winning 3-2.

Thuram again played a major role, scoring against Udinese after also finding the net in the comeback against Napoli.

Inter keeping pace with Roma

Both teams now have four wins from four matches and 12 points.

Roma lead the standings on goal difference, while Inter sit level on points. Como are third with 10 points after beating Parma 2-1.

The early standings already point towards an intriguing title race, with Roma showing consistency under Gasperini and Inter demonstrating their ability to recover from difficult positions.

Inter’s repeated comebacks have also highlighted the champions’ resilience. Against both Napoli and Udinese, they conceded twice before turning the matches around.

The next meeting between Roma and Inter will therefore carry additional significance, with both sides looking to establish an early advantage in the title race.

For now, however, neither has dropped a point in Serie A.