Mourinho suffers defeat vs. former team as Inter shuts out Roma

Inter Milan's players celebrate after winning a Serie A soccer match between Roma and Inter Milan, at Rome's Olympic Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Inter Milan won 3-0. (Andrew Medichini/AP)

MILAN -- Roma coach Jose Mourinho had a nightmare match against his former team as the capital side lost 3-0 at home to Inter Milan in Serie A on Saturday.

Hakan Calhanoglu, former Roma forward Edin Dzeko, and Denzel Dumfries scored in the first half. It was the first time in Mourinho's career that one of his teams was 3-0 down at halftime.

Inter moved to second in Serie A, a point behind AC Milan after the Rossoneri beat Salernitana 2-0 to move to the top of the league. Napoli could move back on top if it beat Atalanta later.

Mourinho steered Inter to the treble of Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League success in 2010. He took over at Roma in the offseason but has had mixed results. Roma has lost four of its past six league matches.

Inter opened the scoring when Calhanoglu curled in directly from the corner flag. The lead was doubled in the 24th minute. Calhanoglu cut inside from the left and pulled the ball back for Dzeko to sweep into the top left corner. Dzeko didn't celebrate against the club he left in the offseason.

The Nerazzurri had the result virtually wrapped up by halftime. Alessandro Bastoni whipped in a cross from the left for a diving header from Dumfries at the back post.

ANOTHER INJURY

Milan dominated against bottom-placed Salernitana but lost another player to injury.

After Rossoneri defender Simon Kjaer was ruled out for the rest of the season during the week, forward Pietro Pellegri came off early against Salernitana.

Milan was already 1-0 up by that point after Franck Kessie fired home after Rafael Leao cut the ball back from the byline in the fifth minute.

Alexis Saelemaekers doubled Milan's lead in the 18th with a powerful strike. He celebrated by running to the touchline and holding up a shirt with Kjaer's name on it.

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