ROME – Inter's five-match unbeaten spell came to an end this evening at the Stadio Olimpico, as Roma emerged victorious in a closely fought encounter.
Edin Dzeko gave the Giallorossi an early lead, but it didn't knock Inter who were full of ideas in a lively first half. Ever Banega's smartly taken strike in the 72nd minute looked to have handed Frank de Boer's side a lifeline, but that only lasted four minutes as Kostas Manolas headed the hosts back into the lead.
Inter lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Mauro Icardi supported by Antonio Candreva, Banega and Ivan Perisic, as the contest began at a rattling pace. After both sides exchanged corners, Roma managed to find an early lead when Bruno Peres burst into the box and squared it for Dzeko, who was left with an easy tap-in.
Nevertheless, the Nerazzurri weren't put off their stride and Ever Banega came inches from restoring parity three minutes later. After picking up a sideways pass from his fellow Argentine Icardi, the former Sevilla man took one touch before letting fly from 25 yards with a superbly struck effort that rebounded off the upright.
The contest was swaying to and fro in the first half, with both keepers keeping their sides in the game. Samir Handanovic saved twice in close succession from Mohamed Salah and Daniele De Rossi in the 22nd minute, while Wojciech Szczesny pulled out his own double save, both with his feet, on Ivan Perisic and then Banega.
Inter were providing a constant threat, driven on by Joao Mario and Banega's positive, forward-thinking play. Candreva struck a volley that drew a fantastic save from the Roma keeper in the 42nd minute before Miranda rose highest at a corner but headed agonisingly wide a minute later.
There were no changes at the start of the second half, which continued at the same intensity as the first. Perisic came close on a number of occasions, while Salah was the Giallorossi's most dangerous outlet.
Inevitably, the pace began to drop in the last third of the match, although there were still chances a-plenty as the teams became more stretched. Assane Gnoukouri found himself in a glorious position in the 68th minute but completely scuffed Yuto Nagatomo's cut-back. Then, in the 72nd minute, the Argentine duo up front combined yet again, when Icardi deftly chipped the ball forward to Banega in the box. The Nerazzurri No.19 took one velvety touch before rounding De Rossi and slotting it past Szczesny to draw his side level.
Sadly, the scoreline was level only momentarily as Inter gave away a free kick on the edge of their area four minutes later. Alessandro Florenzi whipped in a cross and Kostas Manolas' header was helped into the net by deflections from both Perisic and Icardi.
Handanovic kept his team in the contest in the 88th minute with an incredible save on a close-range header by Dzeko, but despite a Nerazzurri siege late on, the game finished 2-1 to the hosts after three minutes of additional time.
Roma 2-1 Inter (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Dzeko 5, Banega 72, Manolas 76.
ROMA: 1 Szczesny; 13 Bruno Peres, 44 Manolas, 20 Fazio, 3 Jesus; 16 De Rossi, 6 Strootman; 11 Salah (92 El Shaarawy, 69), 24 Florenzi (4 Nainggolan, 89), 8 Perotti (5 Paredes, 79); 9 Dzeko.
Subs not used: 18 Lobont, 19 Alisson, 7 Iturbe, 10 Totti, 17 Seck, 30 Gerson, 33 Emerson.
Coach: Luciano Spalletti.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 15 Ansaldi (55 Nagatomo, 62), 25 Miranda, 24 Murillo, 21 Santon; 6 Joao Mario (27 Gnoukouri, 60), 17 Medel; 87 Candreva (10 Jovetic, 70), 19 Banega, 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 5 Melo, 7 Kondogbia, 8 Palacio, 13 Ranocchia, 23 Eder, 33 D'Ambrosio, 95 Miangue, 96 Barbosa.
Coach: Frank de Boer.
Yellow cards: Santon 24, Ansaldi 36, Jesus 64.
Additional time: 1+3 minutes.
Referee: Luca Banti.
Assistants: Riccardi Di Fiore, Andrea Crispo.
Fourth official: Salvatore Longo.
Additional assistants: Gianluca Rocchi, Antonio Damato.
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