Inter stumbles in race for the Scudetto
Inter opened the door to Napoli in the Serie A title race after the defending champion was beaten 1-0 at home by Roma.
After bowing out of the Coppa Italia with a semi-final second-leg defeat to rival AC Milan, Inter suffered a third loss in just seven days.
It will now turn its attentions to their Champions League semi-final first leg at Barcelona.
The host side started brightly in the contest and thought it had gone ahead when David Frattesi found the back of the net, but his strike was ruled out for offside.
Visiting goalkeeper Mile Svilar was then on hand to thwart Hakan Calhanoglu before Manu Kone fired Roma's first attempt at Inter's goal shortly after.
It was Roma who struck first in the 22nd minute when Lorenzo Pellegrini's shot deflected kindly into Matias Soule's path, before stroking the ball past Yann Sommer.
Claudio Ranieri's team almost doubled its advantage shortly after, but Bryan Cristante could only shoot wide after being picked out by Pellegrini's cross into the box.
Inter pushed for an equaliser after the break, but lacked any cutting edge in the final third as Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella fired wide of the mark.
Roma threatened to increase its one-goal advantage, though, but Niccolo Pissili's first-time strike went narrowly wide before Artem Dovbyk forced a save from Sommer.
The visitor was able to hold on for the victory to move it up to eighth, just two points adrift of the top four.
Inter, meanwhile, dropped to second after Napoli defeated Torino 2-0 thanks a Scott McTominay brace.
