Gian Piero Gasperini feels Roma can draw plenty of encouragement from their 2-2 result against Inter, even though they surrendered a two-goal cushion after the interval. The manager also pointed out that both teams had chances to secure the win at the Stadio Olimpico.
The fixture pitted together the only two sides with unbeaten records at the summit of the standings. Roma dictated large portions of the opening period and led 2-0 at the break thanks to Manu Koné’s strike, but Lautaro Martinez scored twice after the restart to leave the clubs level at the top.
Gasperini takes positives from Roma display
Gasperini highlighted the space Roma exploited during the first half, when the Giallorossi carried a threat every time they ventured forward. However, the manager was forced into adjustments as the game wore on, with Balerdi withdrawn while Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé played until the final whistle.
Roma believed they could stay in the contest if they weathered Inter’s pressure. Although the momentum changed after the break, Gasperini was pleased with how his players kept fighting.
“There is a lot of positivity on this side,” Gasperini said, while acknowledging that both teams had opportunities to claim all three points. Roma also carved out a big chance to restore their two-goal lead, with Malen hitting the goalkeeper in the face when a chance for 3-1 presented itself.
Roma falter following Inter fightback
Roma had shipped only four goals during the campaign before this match, but three of those arrived within the first five minutes of the second half. Gasperini conceded that the manner in which his team conceded was too careless after they had taken control of the game.
The manager felt Roma could still have troubled their opponents after the interval, but several players were struggling physically as the match reached its closing stages. Even so, the Giallorossi kept pushing forward rather than simply settling for a draw.
Gasperini also praised the quality of the opposition, noting that Roma had continued to match Inter in both technical and physical aspects. The two sides ultimately finished level after a contest in which each had chances to take maximum points.
Inter draw exposes Roma consistency concerns
The result continued a tough sequence for Roma against Inter at the Stadio Olimpico, with the Giallorossi having failed to beat their rivals at home since October 2016. Gasperini, though, maintained that his side should focus on its own development rather than the historical record.
The manager believes Roma can be a very strong team in certain moments, but consistency is still an area that needs improvement. He characterised the squad as physical and underlined the importance of utilising every available player with many fixtures to come after the international break.
The draw leaves Roma and Inter level at the top of the table, although Como and Lazio can draw level with them on 13 points if they win their respective matches this weekend.