Roma and Inter drew 2–2 at the Stadio Olimpico in a fifth-round Serie A fixture that saw the hosts dominate the first half before being pegged back in the second. Manu Koné scored twice—in the 5th and 38th minutes—to give Roma a commanding lead, but Lautaro Martínez replied with goals in the 47th and 79th minutes to secure a point for the visitors. The match was a battle between the only two teams still unbeaten in the league: Roma had arrived with four wins from four, 12 goals scored and just one conceded, while Inter came in equally undefeated after a 5–3 victory over Udinese and having already netted 13 goals in four games.
Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma began in assured form. Koné's opener came from Nahuel Molina's cross and a Matías Soulé assist; his second, from Paulo Dybala's pass, initially appeared offside but was confirmed as legitimate by VAR after Lautaro Martínez's appeal was dismissed. The hosts created further chances through Dybala, Donyell Malen and others, with Mile Svilar making crucial saves in goal. Inter, coached by Cristian Chivu, applied pressure through Marcus Thuram and others but found Roma's defence largely resolute in the first 45 minutes.
The second half proved decisive. After the interval, a poor pass from Gianluca Mancini on the Inter half allowed a swift counter that released Lautaro for a left-footed finish past Svilar. Roma attempted to respond—Malen had a glorious chance when he turned and fired at close range, only for Inter keeper Josep Martínez to block with his face—but gradually lost control. Lautaro's second, struck from inside the box with his right foot, levelled the score with 11 minutes remaining. Gasperini made defensive substitutions, bringing on Konstantinos Koulierakis for Mario Hermoso in the 80th minute and Evan N'Dicka for Mancini moments later, but could not find a winner. Referee Massa awarded three minutes of stoppage time but the match ended level.
BaLeRdi had been named in the original squad announcement but was replaced in the final lineup by N'Dicka ahead of kickoff, though he later entered the fray after Hermoso's removal. Wesley played on the right flank with Molina on the left in the opening formation. The teams remain undefeated but now level on points.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“È già tempo di scontro al vertice allo Stadio Olimpico. La Roma di Gian Piero Gasperini ospita questo pomeriggio l’Inter di Cristian Chivu nella quinta giornata di Serie A, in una sfida tra le uniche due squadre ancora a punteggio pieno in campionato.
I giallorossi arrivano al big match con…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.