Roma and Inter shared a 2-2 draw at the Olimpico after a match that exposed both the force and the limits of two sides with serious ambitions. Roma built a two-goal lead through Manu Koné, only for Inter to recover behind a Lautaro Martinez double after the interval.
For Gian Piero Gasperini, the result ended a personal run of 10 consecutive defeats against Inter and confirmed that his Roma can trouble the division’s strongest opposition. Cristian Chivu, meanwhile, left the capital with a point and renewed evidence that the partnership of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro remains central to Inter’s season.
Quick facts
- Roma 2-2 Inter at the Olimpico.
- Manu Koné scored twice for Roma, in the sixth and 37th minutes.
- Lautaro Martinez struck twice for Inter, including the equaliser 11 minutes after Donyell Malen hit the goalkeeper.
- Inter had fallen two goals behind for the fourth match in succession.
- Roma interrupted Gasperini’s 10-match losing sequence against Inter.
- Inter arrived having lost only once in their previous 31 matches, the derby on 8 March.
Roma’s opening half was played at their own pace: aggressive, high up the pitch and unafraid to leave space behind their defence. Leonardo Balerdi was key to that risk, repeatedly covering ground behind the line and staying close to Thuram when Inter tried to play long.
The first goal came after six minutes. Nahuel Molina switched play towards Paulo Dybala, whose lay-off found Koné in the area for a composed finish. Dybala, influential throughout the first half, then went close twice as Roma continued to find room between Inter’s lines.
Inter’s midfield struggled to gain control. Jones, Diouf and Zielinski could not establish the platform needed to slow Roma’s pressure, and the visitors spent long periods chasing a side that moved the ball sharply and attacked with numbers.
There were warning signs around the half-hour. Bisseck and Lautaro missed opportunities, while Bastoni struck the outside of the post. Roma nevertheless restored their authority and doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, when Koné again found himself free to score from a Dybala-led move. An initial offside decision was overturned by VAR.
Gasperini had called for greater care at the start of second halves after Istanbul, warning that his teams could not keep conceding immediately after the restart. His concern was realised within a minute. Gianluca Mancini lost possession, Thuram raced away and supplied Lautaro, who placed his finish into the net.
That goal changed the afternoon. Roma’s intense first-half work began to show, Koné was no longer able to dominate midfield in the same fashion, and Gasperini withdrew him after 15 minutes of the second period. Niccolò Pisilli could not offer the same physical presence, while defensive problems forced Roma to use further substitutions at the back rather than reinforce the centre.
Chivu’s changes had more impact. Sucic brought greater energy than Jones, Carlos Augusto provided more drive on the flank than Dimarco, and Thuram increasingly stretched Roma with his running. The French forward’s performance was his best of the campaign, a timely reminder of the threat he gives Inter alongside Lautaro.
Roma still had the chance to settle the contest. Malen turned well in the 78th minute and struck a strong shot, but goalkeeper Martinez blocked it with his face. It was the missed moment that left the door open for Inter.
Eleven minutes later Lautaro completed the comeback, making it 2-2 and evoking memories of the Argentine’s earlier prolific displays against Roma. The home side then defended with resolve to deny Inter a winner, avoiding the late collapse that had cost them against Napoli.
The point leaves room for reflection on both benches. Roma showed that Inter can be put under pressure by a brave, organised side, but must manage their energy and concentration more carefully in decisive phases. Inter again showed an unwanted habit of starting slowly, yet also demonstrated that once Chivu’s team finds its rhythm, few opponents can keep it contained.
Neither side took everything it wanted from the night. Both, however, took something meaningful from a match that felt like a proper measure of where the championship is heading.
