Marcus Thuram expressed his delight at reigniting his "special bond" with Lautaro Martinez after he marked his return from injury with two goals in their 5-2 win over Roma. 

Martinez opened the scoring in the first minute with a finish into the roof of the net after being picked out by Thuram, only for Gianluca Mancini to equaliser for the visitors. 

But Hakan Calhanoglu's stunner in first-half stoppage time put Inter back ahead, with Cristian Chivu's side turning on the style when they re-emerged from the break. 

Thuram and Martinez combined again for Inter's third of the match. The Frenchman became the first player to provide two assists for the same team-mate in a Serie A match for the Nerazzurri since March 4, 2022, when Nicolo Barella did so for Martinez. 

Inter pulled further clear in the 55th minute through Thuram's fine header before Barella sealed the win, though Roma netted a consolation through Lorenzo Pellegrini 20 minutes from time. 

But the day belonged to Inter and Martinez, who marked his first outing since sustaining a muscle injury in February with a great performance in front of goal. His brace saw him equal Paulo Dybala (131) for the third-most Serie A goals by an Argentine. 

Martinez is also the first Inter player to score a brace in a match played on Easter since Adriano against Perugia on 11 April 2004, and Thuram was pleased to see his strike partner return at a critical part of the campaign. 

"I did miss him, but Pio and Bonny are very important to the team too," Thuram admitted to DAZN Italia. "It's true I have a special bond with Lauti.

"He is our captain and sets the example in the most difficult moments. He did that in the first minute, and we are so glad he's back with us."

The result was the ninth time Inter have scored at least five goals against Roma in Serie A, the first since 2011, at least four more than any other opponent against the Giallorossi in the top flight (Juventus five times).

But, more importantly, they moved nine points clear at the top of Serie A, with second-placed AC Milan facing Napoli in a huge game at the top on Monday. 

Inter are now assigned a 94% chance of lifting the Scudetto by the Opta supercomputer, and Martinez acknowledged the significance of the victory. 

"This was a head-to-head, a very important match for the table, for our journey, for a signal to ourselves," Martinez added.

"We needed to get out there with the right attitude, because Roma are a very strong team, who play man for man.

"We are happy, Thuram made the difference, as he usually does. Everyone can have a dip in form, so I won't say he's back, but he was great."