Inter’s 3-1 win over Bologna became another illustration of the value of a bench that can alter the rhythm of a Sunday afternoon. Carlos Augusto needed only 39.8 seconds after entering the match to beat Lukasz Skorupski, then supplied the pass for Ange-Yoan Bonny’s goal as Cristian Chivu’s changes settled a demanding contest.
Key takeaways
- Carlos Augusto scored with his first touch after coming on, reaching three goals for Inter this season.
- The Brazilian has also found the net against Udinese and Real, while contributing two assists.
- Bonny, Carlos Augusto and Andy Diouf combined in the move that produced Inter’s 2-1 lead.
- Bonny later made it 3-1 from Carlos Augusto’s delivery and had another effort ruled out for a very tight offside.
- Inter and Carlos Augusto are discussing a contract extension, despite his present deal running until 2028.
Carlos Augusto turns utility into influence
Carlos Augusto has long been valued as one of Inter’s adaptable options, a player capable of serving the collective wherever the coach requires him. Against Bologna, however, his impact went beyond the usual role of the reliable squad player.
His introduction brought an immediate breakthrough. Less than a minute after stepping onto the pitch, he struck past Skorupski from the first ball he received. It was his third goal of the campaign, matching the tally he managed across the whole of 2024-25, when he needed 50 appearances to do so. This time, he has reached that figure in only six matches.
The Brazilian’s season has already included goals against Udinese, Bologna and Real, as well as two assists. His contribution against Bologna carried both sides of his game: an incisive run and finish to change the score, followed by the final pass for Bonny to put the result beyond doubt.
Assistant coach Aleksandar Kolarov addressed the press because Chivu had lost his voice, and praised Carlos Augusto’s attitude in training, saying the defender “never gets a session wrong”. The player, meanwhile, placed the team above individual ambition. He said: “Inter always come first, even ahead of my own targets. I hoped for the World Cup in the summer, but the national team is a consequence of what we do at club level. We will see what happens in the future.”
That future may also include fresh contract terms. His current agreement expires in 2028 and discussions are underway, although no final deal has yet been reached.
Chivu’s substitutes shape the second half
The decisive shift came after the interval, when Chivu’s replacements gave Inter greater momentum. Bonny, Carlos Augusto and Diouf were all involved in the sequence that created the 2-1 goal, with the substitutes combining smoothly to put Bologna under renewed pressure.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan also added quality late on. Introduced with 10 minutes remaining, the Armenian midfielder controlled the ball and released Carlos Augusto into space, setting up the Brazilian’s part in the final stages. Mkhitaryan will turn 38 in January, yet his brief appearance offered the composure and initiative Inter needed at a crucial moment.
Bonny, the former Parma forward, took his season total to three goals by finishing Carlos Augusto’s assist for 3-1. He was also denied another goal when the offside decision went against him by the narrowest of margins.
Diouf, who has not yet started a match this season, has quietly reached two league goals. The Ivorian focused on Inter’s response after the break, saying: “We played a very good second half, and that is what matters.”
