Inter fight back again as Roma extend Gasperini’s winless run to 18 matches

Inter recovered from two goals down for the fourth consecutive match as they drew 2-2 with Roma in an entertaining Serie A meeting in the fifth round.

Manu Kone scored twice for Roma, but Lautaro Martinez replied with a brace to earn Inter a point after the visitors had established a commanding lead.

The result leaves both clubs on 13 points, although Roma remain top of the table because of their superior goal difference. Como and Lazio could draw level with them and Inter if they win their respective matches.

Inter’s latest comeback continues a notable pattern. They have fallen 2-0 behind in their past four matches, winning two, losing to Real Madrid and now drawing with Roma.

It was also the sixth occasion since Cristian Chivu became Inter manager that his side had gone two goals behind in a league match and avoided defeat.

The draw extended another unwanted record for Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who has now failed to beat Inter in 18 successive meetings. Across those matches, Gasperini has suffered 12 defeats and recorded six draws.

His most recent victory against Inter came in 2018, when he was in charge of Atalanta and guided them to a 4-1 win.

Lautaro Martinez’s two goals also moved him clear as Inter’s outright third-highest scorer in Serie A, with 135 goals. He is now three behind second-placed Benito Lorenzi.

How the match unfolded

Roma took the lead in the sixth minute when Kone found the net with a shot from inside the penalty area.

Inter came close to reducing the deficit in the 26th minute, but Marcus Thuram was denied after going through one-on-one by an excellent save from Svilar.

Kone appeared to have doubled Roma’s advantage in the 37th minute with a close-range finish from inside the six-yard box. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the decision was overturned following a video review.

Inter responded immediately after half-time. Martinez pulled one back in the 46th minute with a shot from inside the 18-yard area after meeting a low cross.

Thuram then missed another opportunity in the 59th minute when he failed to convert a dangerous ball across the area.

Roma threatened to restore their two-goal advantage in the 68th minute, but Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez saved from inside the six-yard box after Malen’s effort.

Inter finally completed the comeback when Lautaro Martinez scored his second goal with a finish from inside the penalty area.

The pace dropped slightly during the closing stages before the referee brought the match to an end.