Inter dropped more points in the Serie A title race as Romelu Lukaku’s late penalty rescued them a point at Roma in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
After Gianluca Mancini missed a big chance for the hosts, Nerazzurri defender Stefan de Vrij nodded his team in front from an Alexis Sánchez corner. Yet to the Dutchman’s dismay, he would end up deflecting Leonardo Spinazzola’s shot into his own net, levelling the score at 1-1 just before half time.
Lautaro Martínez would see his goal ruled out for offside, before the Giallorossi turned the game around when Henrikh Mkhitaryan smashed in from close-range to make it 2-1. Inter manager Antonio Conte made a number of changes as a result, with Christian Eriksen and Romelu Lukaku thrown on to rescue the game.
The Belgian would duly deliver, converting a late penalty after Victor Moses was fouled by Spinazzola to make it 2-2. The Nerazzurri will see it as an opportunity missed, and now will be reliant on Juventus losing against Lazio if they are to have any hopes of winning the Scudetto.
Key Talking Point
Roma came into this game in great form, having picked up three consecutive league wins and would have been confident of racking up another three points to solidify their Europa League qualification for next season.
They initially struggled in the first half, with lone striker Džeko struggling for service and help from his teammates. Inter’s defence was never truly tested, with the hosts’ unable to create clear chances. Not to mention they also looked vulnerable at the back, with the speed of their opponents cutting open their defence at various moments. Fortunately for Roma, Spinazzola’s goal kept them on level terms heading into half time.
But after the break, they looked a different side going forward. Mkhitaryan was able to push further forward, making his team a bigger threat in attack, and his advanced positioning was chiefly why he was able to score his team’s second. While they faded in the later stages, it’s clear that Paulo Fonseca should prioritise getting his players forward to help the Bosnian striker in the future.
Starting XI: López (6); Mancini (6), Ibañez (6), Kolarov (6); Peres (6), Diawara (6), Veretout (6), Spinazzola (7); Pellegrini (7), Mkhitaryan (7*); Džeko (7).
Substitutes: Cristante (6), Smalling (6), Pérez (N/A).
As the game went on, Mkhitaryan was able to impose himself on the game, and played a key part for Roma’s attack.
The on-loan Arsenal midfielder supported Džeko in attack and constantly looked a threat with the ball, helping to create many chances for his team.
Key Talking Point
With Christian Eriksen surprisingly dropped to the bench, Marcelo Brozović was pushed further forward by Conte in the number ten role, behind the duo of Sánchez and Martínez.
Yet the Croatian was ineffective in the advanced role, and was unable to impose himself. Often drifting all over the pitch in search of the ball, he couldn’t create many chances and left his team lacking a central creative figure to support the front two. It was certainly something to note as Inter saw their first-half dominance fade towards the end of the first half, when their opponents equalised just before the break.
Mkhitaryan’s goal was the wake-up call the Nerazzurri needed to make the necessary changes, with Eriksen introduced midway through the half, moving Brozović into a deeper role. He looked more comfortable, with more time on the ball to initiate offensive moves in his own half.
With the Dane able to impact the game late on, Conte’s substitutions could be seen as the key to turning the match around for the visitors.
Starting XI: Handanović (6); Škriniar (6), De Vrij (7), Bastoni (6); Candreva (7), Barella (6), Gagliardini (7), Young (6); Brozović (6); Sánchez (7*), Martínez (6).
Substitutes: Biraghi (6), Moses (6), Lukaku (7), Eriksen (7), D’Ambrosio (N/A).
One of the most in-form players around at the moment, Sánchez produced another terrific display in Inter’s attack.
The Chilean was dynamic in his movement and always looked to take his opponents on throughout the game. His reward for his efforts was another assist, as it was his corner that was nodded in by De Vrij.
Looking Ahead
Roma next travel to already-relegated SPAL on Wednesday night, while Inter next host Fiorentina at the same time.