Inter Milan squanders two goal lead in Turin as sports fraud investigation looms

Cristian Chivu regrets Inter's 2-2 draw with Torino while referee designator Gianluca Rocchi faces a sports fraud investigation over 2025 match-fixing claims.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

Late Collapse in Turin Denies Nerazzurri Early Title Party

The narrative at the Olympic Grande Torino Stadium took a sharp turn on Sunday evening as Inter Milan failed to consolidate their dominance in the 34th round of Serie A. After establishing a commanding lead through goals from Marcus Thuram and Yann Aurel Bisseck, the Nerazzurri appeared to be cruising toward a victory that would have brought them within touching distance of the Scudetto. However, a late surge from the home side, capped by a Nikola Vlašić penalty in the 79th minute, forced a stalemate that Cristian Chivu described as a significant missed opportunity. The Romanian tactician admitted that his squad suffered under intense pressure in the closing stages, losing the "calmness" that had defined their earlier play.

Shadow of Scandal as Gianluca Rocchi Faces Fraud Investigation

The sporting disappointment was compounded by a developing legal crisis within the upper echelons of Italian football. Reports confirmed that Gianluca Rocchi, the head of referee appointments for Serie A and B, is under official investigation for alleged criminal conspiracy and sporting fraud. The charges center on accusations that Rocchi colluded to influence referee selections for high stakes fixtures, specifically involving Inter Milan’s matches against Verona and the Milan derby during the 2024 to 2025 campaign. While Chivu refused to engage with the details of the investigation during his post match press conference, the timing of the "notice of guarantee" served to Rocchi has cast a shadow over Inter's impending title celebrations.

Technical Hurdles and Injury Management for the Title Run

The draw in Turin also highlighted the physical toll on Chivu’s squad as they approach the season’s conclusion. The coach revealed that several key players were not at peak fitness, including Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Lautaro Martínez, both of whom have been managing lingering muscular issues. While Denzel Dumfries made a late appearance as a substitute, the management’s decision to withhold Alessandro Bastoni reflected a cautious approach toward players returning from injury. Chivu took personal responsibility for the tactical shift in the second half, suggesting that his failure to properly motivate the team during their 2,0 lead allowed the "worries" of a comeback to take root after Torino’s first goal.