Roma entered the international break with regret, but also with a clearer sense of their standing after drawing with Italian champions Inter. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side had built a two-goal advantage before half-time and could not turn it into victory, yet the coach saw the evening as evidence that his team can compete at the highest level of the Serie A season.
A draw that carried both frustration and belief
Gasperini accepted that Roma had let two points slip after their first-half display, while stressing that Inter’s quality meant the contest could never be considered settled. The early goal after the restart altered the mood of the match, giving Inter fresh momentum and making Roma more cautious.
“We could have won it,” Gasperini said. “Their goal at the start of the second half changed the game. Inter are a very strong side and can score at any time. Still, we leave with greater awareness. There is always room for improvement, for us and for them, and we must be pleased with the work we have done.”
The result did little to improve Gasperini’s difficult record against Inter: across his previous 16 meetings with them, he has collected five draws and suffered 11 defeats. This time, however, Roma spent long stretches on level terms with the champions.
- Roma were dangerous on the break during the opening half, with room to attack whenever they recovered possession.
- Inter’s immediate second-half goal changed the balance and increased the pressure on Roma.
- Despite tired legs and enforced adjustments, Roma continued to look for a winning goal.
- Malen had a major chance to make it 3-1, but struck the goalkeeper full in the face.
- Inter also created opportunities, although Roma did not retreat from the contest.
Gasperini praised the substance of his team’s progress, rather than reducing it to fitness or emotion. He said Roma have shown quality as well as “positive energy”, and argued that the group must keep working in the same direction.
The recurring problem after half-time
The early concession was not an isolated moment. Roma have now allowed goals at the beginning of the second half against Atalanta, Fenerbahce and Inter, a pattern Matías Soulé believes requires attention.
“The coach lifted us a little after the match,” Soulé said. “We have to improve our start to the second half. Clearly there is something there, perhaps tension.”
Gasperini agreed that three similar episodes cannot simply be dismissed as coincidence. He felt Roma had been too casual, even overly confident, in the manner of Inter’s goal, particularly when the match had been heading in their favour and the visitors still had counter-attacking possibilities.
Even after going 2-1 behind, he felt Roma remained in the game and retained the ambition to win. He described the performance as a notable step forward against opponents of considerable technical and physical strength, while warning that the smaller details must improve.
“We are further on than before,” Gasperini said. “But after the break the schedule will be very difficult. We restart with Como and Real Madrid. Still, I have faith in my team.”
Fitness concerns as Trigoria empties
The pause for international football will take many members of the squad away from Trigoria, though several Roma players are expected to remain in the capital for different reasons.
- Paulo Dybala will stay behind to recover properly and preserve his current condition.
- Lorenzo Pellegrini is set to use the period to build fitness in his legs.
- Bryan Cristante could remain in Rome because of fatigue.
- Koné was withdrawn by Gasperini after fading in the second half; the coach said he is not yet ready for a full 90 minutes after reaching the end of the World Cup.
- Pisilli made a positive contribution after replacing Koné.
Roma also had problems during the match. Gianluca Mancini was tired after scoring, while Leonardo Balerdi suffered cramp and had to leave the field. Those issues restricted Gasperini’s ability to make changes further forward.
Nevertheless, Dybala and Soulé stayed on until the end, with the latter improving as the game wore on. Gasperini also singled out Balerdi’s display for praise, calling it outstanding.
He suggested Inter had arrived in excellent condition and may not always be as difficult to face as they were on this occasion. That, in his view, gave further weight to Roma’s performance.
Respect for Lautaro and an Inter memory
Gasperini ended the evening with admiration for Inter captain Lautaro Martínez, joking that the Argentine always scores against him before adding that he scores against everyone. “He is an incredible player,” he said.
The Roma coach also reflected on Sandro Mazzola, recalling facing the former Inter great during the 1970s. Gasperini described Mazzola as an Inter symbol who was respected well beyond his own club, a figure appreciated by opponents as much as by supporters of the Nerazzurri.
