Inter Milan returned to the top of the Serie A table with an authoritative 3-1 victory over Bologna at the San Siro, continuing their impressive home form with a sixth win in their last seven league matches.

Having ended 2025 with four consecutive Serie A victories, the Nerazzurri carried that momentum into the opening stages and dominated the first 15 minutes. Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram both tested Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia early on, but the shot-stopper produced two smart saves to keep the contest level.

Inter’s pressure remained relentless as the half wore on, with Ravaglia again coming to Bologna’s rescue by parrying a long-range effort from Hakan Çalhanoğlu. The visitors briefly threatened at the other end when Jens Odgaard met a cross inside the box, but his header drifted wide.

Despite that momentary scare, Inter finished the first half firmly in control and finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. Piotr Zieliński pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a superb strike that left Ravaglia with no chance.

Martínez almost doubled the lead before the interval with a close-range header, but the Inter captain would not be denied for long. Just three minutes into the second half, Çalhanoğlu’s inswinging corner found Martínez unmarked six yards out, and he headed home to give the hosts a commanding two-goal advantage.

With the cushion established, Inter created several chances to put the game beyond doubt. Manuel Akanji fired wide from a promising position, while Martínez struck the crossbar from point-blank range.

The third goal eventually arrived in the 74th minute, as Federico Dimarco’s corner was inadvertently diverted into the net off Marcus Thuram’s shoulder, sealing the result.

Bologna managed a late consolation when Santiago Castro finished clinically inside the area, but it proved little more than a footnote on a comfortable night for Inter. The result lifts Simone Inzaghi’s side back to the Serie A summit, while Bologna’s struggles continue as they extend their winless league run to five matches.