Koné and Lautaro shine as Inter overturn deficit again: Roma held to 2–2

Roma and Inter finished 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in a match where the hosts dominated the first half before surrendering their lead. Roma went two goals ahead through a Manu Koné double, with Gasperini's team playing at a high level against their visitors. Inter, managed by Chivu, emerged transformed after the interval, with Lautaro Martínez scoring twice to level the match. The Argentine captain struck first to reduce the deficit early in the second half, then sealed the draw with a volley past Mile Svilar despite the goalkeeper's touch. Inter have now come from two goals down for the third consecutive occasion, though this time without securing victory. Roma showed they can compete with the Serie A champions and remain equipped for a strong campaign, though Gasperini's side will rue the manner of the collapse. Donyell Malen saw a clear chance saved by Martínez, while Thuram came close to a late winner for Inter but could not find the breakthrough. The result offers encouragement to both teams—Roma that they can threaten the elite, Inter that their comeback resilience remains intact.

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the media after Roma drew with Inter in a fifth-round Serie A fixture where both teams arrived level on points. The match went to the wire at the Stadio Olimpico, with Inter scoring early in the second half to take the lead, but Roma refusing to surrender and creating chances throughout. Gasperini emphasised the positives despite the dropped points. "I believe this match should give us satisfaction and awareness," he said. "There are margins for improvement for everyone, even for Inter. We must be happy with the path we are taking and the quality we are putting into these matches, not just condition and enthusiasm. There are many positive energies in this squad and we must continue like this." He acknowledged physical tiredness in the second half forced defensive changes, noting that Balerdi had to withdraw from the match. "His performance was outstanding," Gasperini said of the defender. "We took him because we knew his value. His injury — cramps — is nothing serious but was crucial. We had to make another change at the back which prevented us from making changes in midfield or attack." On midfielder Manu Koné's substitution, Gasperini explained: "It was my choice. He had clearly dropped off in midfield. He doesn't have 90 minutes from the start of the season — he went all the way through the World Cup, and his stamina at the moment is not what it was last year. But Pisilli did well, as did the others who came on." The coach also praised Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé for playing the full match. Regarding Roma's recent vulnerability at the start of second halves, he said: "Probably yes, and the way we conceded the goal was superficial, presumptuous if you like. But I must say that even in difficulty at 2-1, Roma always tried to win. We had an obvious chance with Malen; Inter had chances too but we never gave up." Gasperini reflected on the bigger picture: "We played a great match against a team that was very well. For me the value is even higher." Looking ahead, Gasperini outlined his challenge: "We will necessarily have to use the squad, rotate from the start without losing competitiveness and we can do that. In these first five matches I relied on a core from last season to give the new players a way to settle in, and I am convinced they will be protagonists. After the break the calendar will be hard — we restart with Como and Real Madrid. There it becomes a different championship, a marathon. But I have faith. I see a homogeneous squad and even the substitutes always come in well."

Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged Roma's performance in their draw against Inter but pinpointed a defensive lapse as the turning point. Speaking to DAZN, he said: "It was a match where both sides could have won. The goal we conceded early in the second half gave Inter great energy. We never gave up and had chances of our own." Gasperini stressed Roma's upward trajectory despite the result. "We should be content with the path we're on, the quality we bring to these matches," he said. "There are many positive energies and we must continue on this road." He highlighted the physical improvements across the squad, noting that Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala stayed on the pitch until the end while others required changes due to fatigue, with Leonardo Balerdi also substituted. The coach acknowledged Inter's own capacity to improve and emphasized Roma's need for consistency and depth heading into a demanding fixture schedule following the international break. Gasperini was critical of Roma's repeated vulnerability at the start of the second half. "It's the third time this has happened—it cannot be coincidence. The way we conceded was superficial and presumptuous," he said. On the match itself: "We were still in it to win at 2–1. We had the chance to make it 3–1 when Donyell Malen hit the goalkeeper in the face. Inter had chances too, but we never surrendered."