Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez makes crucial save against Roma

There are saves, and then there are saves where you sacrifice your actual face for the cause. Josep Martínez chose the latter on matchday five of Serie A, throwing himself into a close-range effort from Donyell Malen and using his head, quite literally, to keep Inter Milan alive against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The 68th-minute block was the kind of moment that separates competent goalkeepers from the slightly unhinged ones who become legends. With Roma already leading and momentum firmly behind the home side, Malen’s shot looked destined for the net. Martínez had other plans, and apparently zero regard for his facial structure. A match between Serie A’s only perfect teams Context matters here. This wasn’t some mid-table dead rubber. Both Inter and Roma entered the fixture with identical records: four wins from four matches, 12 points apiece. Two unbeaten sides, top of the table, colliding at one of Italian football’s most atmospheric venues. Roma came out swinging. Manu Koné put the hosts ahead and then doubled the lead, giving the Olimpico crowd exactly what they wanted: a dominant first-half display against the reigning champions’ closest challengers. Inter, to their credit, ...