TURIN — Inter Milan’s coronation as Serie A champions will have to wait at least one more match after Torino staged a dramatic second-half comeback to earn a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday. The result leaves Simone Inzaghi’s side three points away from clinching the Scudetto, with their next opportunity coming against Parma at the San Siro on Wednesday.

The Nerazzurri dominated the early proceedings, racing to a two-goal lead through Yann Bisseck and Marcus Thuram, both set up by Federico Dimarco, who extended his league-leading assist tally to 18 for the season. But Torino, fighting for European qualification, refused to surrender, with Giovanni Simeone and Nikola Vlašić responding to secure a point that keeps their own ambitions alive.

What Happened: A Match of Two Halves

Inter Milan started the match with characteristic intensity, creating several early chances. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Dimarco delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank to Bisseck, who powered a header past Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić. The 22-year-old German defender, who had scored just once in his previous 25 appearances for Inter, celebrated his second goal in three matches with a fist pump toward the traveling supporters.

The Nerazzurri doubled their advantage in the 55th minute through Thuram, who finished clinically after Dimarco’s low cross evaded the Torino defense. The French forward, returning from a minor injury, appeared to have set Inter in complete control of the match — and potentially the Scudetto race.

But Torino, who entered the match in eighth place and just four points behind Atalanta in the final Europa League qualification spot, refused to capitulate. Simeone pulled one back in the 62nd minute with a brilliant individual effort, cutting inside from the right before curling a shot into the top corner past Yann Sommer. The goal, his 12th of the season, sparked a fervent response from the home crowd and set the stage for a dramatic finale.

The VAR Controversy That Changed the Game

The pivotal moment arrived in the 76th minute when referee Marco Mariani was sent to the pitchside monitor to review a potential handball by Carlos Augusto. After a lengthy VAR check, Mariani awarded Torino a penalty for Augusto’s handling of Duvan Zapata’s close-range header. Vlašić stepped up and converted the spot-kick with a precise finish into the top corner, leveling the score at 2-2.

The decision sparked immediate controversy. Inter manager Simone Inzaghi was seen gesturing furiously toward the fourth official, while Augusto appeared distraught as he argued his case. The Brazilian full-back, who had been booked earlier in the match, maintained that the ball struck his arm unintentionally from close range — a claim supported by replays showing the ball deflecting off his body before hitting his arm.

Inter’s frustration was compounded by the fact that the draw denied them the opportunity to clinch the title on Sunday. With Napoli losing 1-0 at Como earlier in the day, a victory against Torino would have secured Inter’s 20th Serie A title regardless of other results. Instead, the Nerazzurri must now wait until at least Wednesday, when they host Parma in a match that could — if results elsewhere fall their way — still deliver the Scudetto.

Player Ratings: Dimarco Shines, Akanji Struggles

The match provided a mixed bag of performances for Inter Milan, with Dimarco once again proving his value to the team. The Italian wing-back, who has emerged as one of Serie A’s most creative players this season, was directly involved in both of Inter’s goals and now holds the league record for assists in a single campaign with 18 — surpassing the previous mark of 17 set by Roma’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2016-17.

Bisseck (7/10) and Thuram (6.5/10) also impressed, with the former continuing his recent goal-scoring form and the latter looking sharp in his first start since recovering from a thigh strain. However, not all of Inter’s players fared as well. Manuel Akanji, who had been a rock in defense for much of the season, struggled against Torino’s attacking duo of Simeone and Zapata. The Swiss international was caught out of position on several occasions and was substituted in the 68th minute for Alessandro Bastoni, who helped shore up the defense.

For Torino, Simeone (7/10) was the standout performer, delivering a goal and a performance that will have caught the attention of Italy’s national team selectors. Vlašić (6.5/10) also played a crucial role, converting the penalty that secured his side a point and keeping their European hopes alive.

What It Means for the Scudetto Race

Inter Milan entered Sunday’s match needing just four points from their final three games to secure the Serie A title. With the draw against Torino, they now require three more points to be crowned champions. The Nerazzurri’s next match is a home fixture against Parma on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Sassuolo on the final day of the season.

There are two scenarios in which Inter could be crowned champions without kicking a ball on Wednesday:

1. If Napoli lose to Como and AC Milan lose to Bologna on Sunday: Inter would mathematically clinch the title regardless of their own result against Parma.
2. If Napoli lose to Como and AC Milan draw with Bologna: Inter would need just one point from their final two matches to secure the Scudetto.

However, with both Napoli and Milan in strong form, Inter are unlikely to be handed the title on a silver platter. The Nerazzurri will almost certainly need to take care of business themselves, starting with Wednesday’s match against Parma.

For Torino, the draw keeps their European qualification hopes alive. Walter Mazzarri’s side are now four points behind Atalanta in the race for the final Europa League spot, with three matches remaining. Their next fixture is a crucial away trip to Udinese on Sunday, followed by home matches against Genoa and Fiorentina.

Tactical Breakdown: Inter’s Midfield Overrun

Inter Milan’s struggles in midfield were a key factor in their inability to witness out the match. With Nicolò Barella suspended and Hakan Çalhanoğlu deployed in a deeper role, the Nerazzurri lacked their usual control in the center of the park. Torino exploited this weakness, with Rolando Mandragora and Sasa Lukić dominating the midfield battle and providing service to Simeone and Zapata.

Inzaghi’s decision to start Kristjan Asllani alongside Çalhanoğlu proved costly, as the young Albanian midfielder was overrun by Torino’s more physical and experienced duo. The introduction of Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the 60th minute provided some much-needed creativity and energy, but by then, the damage had been done.

Defensively, Inter were also exposed by Torino’s direct approach. Akanji’s struggles against Simeone highlighted the need for greater defensive cohesion, particularly in the absence of Bastoni, who has been a key figure in Inter’s backline this season. The Swiss defender’s poor performance will be a concern for Inzaghi, who may need to reconsider his defensive setup for the crucial match against Parma.

Key Takeaways

• Dimarco sets new assist record: Federico Dimarco now has 18 assists in Serie A this season, breaking the previous record of 17 set by Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2016-17.
• Inter’s Scudetto hopes delayed: The Nerazzurri need three more points to clinch the title, with their next opportunity coming against Parma on Wednesday.
• VAR controversy mars match: Carlos Augusto’s handball decision, which led to Torino’s equalizing penalty, has sparked debate over VAR’s consistency in Serie A.
• Akanji struggles: Manuel Akanji’s poor performance against Torino will be a concern for Inter, particularly with crucial matches looming.
• Torino maintain European hopes alive: The draw keeps Torino in the hunt for a Europa League spot, with three matches remaining.

What’s Next

Inter Milan will look to bounce back from Sunday’s disappointment when they host Parma at the San Siro on Wednesday, May 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:45 local time (18:45 UTC). A victory would secure the Nerazzurri’s 20th Serie A title, while a draw would abandon them needing at least one more point from their final match against Sassuolo.

Torino, meanwhile, travel to Udinese on Sunday, May 5, in a crucial match for their European qualification hopes. Kickoff is set for 18:00 local time (16:00 UTC).

For live updates, official match reports, and post-match reactions, follow Inter Milan’s official website and Torino FC’s official website.

What do you think about the VAR decision that changed the match? Should Inter have been awarded the title on Sunday? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.