Roma 2 - 2 Inter: All square at the Olimpico
Team
— Dec 2nd 2018The Nerazzurri went ahead twice on Sunday, although Roma's response now leaves Inter on 29 points in the league standings
ROME – It was a spectacle full of goals and emotions at the Stadio Olimpico as Inter and Roma drew 2-2 on matchday 14 of the Serie A TIM season. The Nerazzurri took the lead twice through Keita and then Icardi only to be pegged back by the Giallorossi, whose goals were scored by Under and then Kolarov from the penalty spot. Inter now have 29 points in the league and sit level with Napoli in second place (Ancelotti’s side have a game in hand against Atalanta).
Both teams looked to take the game to one another from the outset. After 11 minutes, Keita stung Olsen’s hands with an effort from close range, while three minutes later Handanovic was forced to beat away Florenzi’s effort. In the 20th minute, Perisic headed D’Ambrosio’s cross just over, before Joao Mario couldn’t quite get on the end of Asamoah’s cross three minutes later. Roma had a big chance after 26 minutes: Schick found Florenzi with a neat back-heel, with the latter then striking the post with a fierce right-footed shot.
Following this, it was Inter’s turn to have an effort at goal, but an outrushing Olsen made himself big to deny Icardi after an excellent ball by Brozovic. The action didn’t stop there in the first half at the Stadio Olimpico: Zaniolo couldn’t quite find the back of the net with an effort after 32 minutes before Olsen managed to keep out Keita’s close-range header three minutes later. Roma then appealed for a penalty as Zaniolo went down in the box under D’Ambrosio’s challenge, but nothing was given. Inter then took the lead after 37 minutes: Joao Mario played the ball to D'Ambrosio, whose inch-perfect cross was finished off by Keita – his third goal in two games. The hosts responded in the 40th minute as Kolarov attempted to find the back of the net with a free kick, but he was denied by Handanovic.
The second half started with a swift equaliser for the hosts, with Under getting his side level in the 51st minute with a wicked left-footed strike. With the match then firmly in the balance, Nzonzi had an effort blocked by the body of Skriniar in the 55th minute. The Giallorossi continued pressing during this period of the game, with Spalletti responding by sending on Politano in place of Keita.
Inter scored their second in the 66th minute, with Brozovic playing in a perfectly flighted corner that was headed home by Mauro Icardi – his eighth goal this season. However, Inter’s lead only lasted a few minutes after the ball struck Brozovic’s arm in the 72nd minute and Rocchi awarded Roma a penalty after assessing VAR. Kolarov duly stepped up and struck a powerful left-footed penalty past the outstretched arms of Handanovic to make it 2-2.
Both teams looked for a potential winner during the final 15 minutes, however, neither could land the decisive blow. Spalletti tried to find inspiration by sending on Lautaro and Vecino for Perisic and Borja Valero, although neither could influence the final result. Politano did have a chance in the 85th minute with a shot that struck Juan Jesus, while Brozovic also tested Olsen from long-range. The final whistle was eventually blown after five minutes of injury time, with Roma drawing 2-2 with Inter after a hard-fought encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Nerazzurri are now set for yet another away encounter, as they prepare to take on Juventus in Turin on Friday 7 December.
#ForzaInter forever!
ROMA 2-2 INTER Goalscorers: 37' Keita (I), 51' Under (R), 66' Icardi (I), 74' rig. Kolarov (R)
ROMA: 1 Olsen; 18 Santon (69' 34 Kluivert), 44 Manolas, 5 Juan Jesus, 11 Kolarov; 4 Cristante, 42 Nzonzi; 24 Florenzi, 22 Zaniolo (77' 8 Perotti), 17 Under (83' 27 Pastore); 14 SchickSubstitutes: 83 Mirante, 63 Fuzato, 3 Pellegrini, 15 Marcano, 53 Riccardi, 60 CelarCoach: Eusebio Di Francesco
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 18 Asamoah; 20 B. Valero (80' 8 Vecino),77 Brozovic; 11 Keita (62' 16 Politano), 15 J. Mario, 44 Perisic (80' 10 Lautaro); 9 IcardiSubstitutes: 27 Padelli, 2 Vrsaljko, 5 Gagliardini, 13 Ranocchia, 23 Miranda, 87 CandrevaCoach: Luciano Spalletti
Bookings: Asamoah (I), Kolarov (R)
Added time: 0' + 5'
Referee: RocchiAssistants: Preti, CostanzoFourth official: Di BelloVAR operators: Fabbri, Valeriani