Inter Milan finished the Serie A season with a 1-1 draw against Bologna at the Stadio Dall’Ara on May 23, 2026, in a match that held no significance for either side.
Why it matters: This match marked the end of the Serie A season for both teams, with Inter already crowned champions and Bologna finishing eighth. The draw allowed Inter to conclude their campaign with 89 points, solidifying their position as the league winners.
- Inter Milan celebrated winning both the Serie A and Coppa Italia titles this season.
- Bologna’s eighth-place finish means they missed out on European qualification.
- Both teams played without pressure, though Lautaro Martinez aimed to secure his status as the league's top goal-scorer.
Driving the news: The match kicked off at 18:00 CET (17:00 GMT) with Inter fielding a lineup featuring Lautaro Martinez and Francesco Pio Esposito upfront. Bologna relied on Santiago Castro and Jonathan Rowe to lead their attack.
- Inter coach Cristian Chivu rotated his squad, resting several key players participating in the upcoming World Cup.
- Bologna was without key players Nicolò Casale, Nicolò Cambiaghi, Martin Vitik, and Riccardo Orsolini due to injuries.
- The game was broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramout+ in the USA.
State of play: The first half saw Inter take the lead through a stunning free-kick from Federico Dimarco after a foul on Lautaro Martinez. Bologna responded quickly, equalizing through Federico Bernardeschi, who capitalized on a deflection from Stefan de Vrij.
- Dimarco’s free-kick was a well-placed left-footed shot that left Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski with little chance.
- Bologna’s equalizer came shortly after, with Bernardeschi scoring with a swift left-footed finish.
- The match statistics showed Inter dominating possession with 61.8%, compared to Bologna's 38.2%.
The big picture: Inter’s performance throughout the season has been impressive, with the team scoring 86 goals in 37 matches. Bologna, on the other hand, struggled at home, winning only twice in their last 13 Serie A matches.
- Inter averaged nearly 3 goals per away game, demonstrating their attacking prowess.
- Bologna’s last home victory came mid-April against Lecce, highlighting their struggles at Stadio Dall’Ara.
- The draw continued Inter's unbeaten streak, extending it to 11 matches across all competitions.
What they're saying: Post-match comments from both coaches highlighted the relaxed atmosphere surrounding the match, as both teams had already achieved their respective goals for the season.
- “We need to switch off a bit because it’s been a long season,” Chivu said, emphasizing the need for relaxation after a demanding campaign.
- Bologna’s sporting director Marco Di Vaio expressed optimism about the future, particularly concerning Orsolini’s contract situation.
- Chivu was recognized as the Coach of the Season for 2025/26, with Dimarco earning the MVP title.
By the numbers: The match statistics provide insight into the performance of both teams during the game.
- Bologna had 7 shots with 1 on target, whereas Inter managed 3 shots with 2 on target.
- Inter completed 250 passes with an accuracy of 88%, compared to Bologna's 154 passes at 90.9% accuracy.
- Both teams registered 1 corner each, illustrating a balanced but cautious approach to the match.
What's next: As the Serie A season concludes, both teams will look ahead to the next season, with Inter aiming to defend their title and Bologna seeking to improve their standing.
- Inter will focus on maintaining their squad's strength and addressing any weaknesses before the new season begins.
- Bologna will aim to build on their current roster and perhaps secure new signings to climb back into European contention.
- Fans can expect a busy transfer window as clubs prepare for the challenges ahead.