By definition, a late-September fixture at the Stadio Olimpico, no matter the pre-match hype, will never decide the Scudetto. However, today’s top-of-the-table clash between first-place Roma and defending champions Inter Milan was an important early-season barometer for Gian Piero Gasperini and the Giallorossi. A victory today over the Nerazzurri wouldn’t end Roma’s 25-year Scudetto drought, but it would give the capital club a sense of how close they are to upsetting the Serie A applecart.
Led by
a rejuvenated Paulo Dybala, the scorching-hot Donyell Malen, and an airtight defense that has conceded only one league goal, Roma has been playing some of the best football on the continent and has emerged as an early-season title contender. The only real criticism of Roma thus far has been the quality of the competition; it’s one thing to wipe the floor with Lecce, but beating Inter is a different challenge altogether.
And it’s a challenge that Roma and Gian Piero Gasperini have failed miserably at for, oh, the past decade. The last time Roma defeated Inter Milan at the Olimpico was October 2, 2016, while Gasperini has gone winless in his last 17 matches against the San Siro crew.
Despite those omens, Roma came out on the front foot in this fixture, relying on the same approach that worked so well against the Fiorentinas and Lecces of the world: control possession, counter-press high up the pitch, and stretch the defense with quick, intricate passing in the final third. It’s practically page one of the Gasperini playbook, and while it served well against lesser clubs, there was no guarantee it would subdue mighty Inter Milan.
Roma Takes Control
But thanks to the combined efforts of Dybala and Malen in attack and pressure from Manu Koné in midfield, Roma was in complete control early in this match, maintaining possession, winning 50/50s, and denying Inter a chance to build momentum. And just as they’ve done so many times early this season, Roma’s leg work paid off with an early goal.
If there’s one oft-heard criticism of Koné, it’s his finishing. Inconsistent results in front of goal help explain why he’s valued at €60 million rather than €80 million, but Koné showed exceptional technique here, getting a clean look at the ball even as it ran away from him. We’d also be remiss not to credit Molina, not only for the assist but also for wrangling the loose ball that started the play.
Holding a one-goal lead over any opponent is seldom a comfortable position, but against a side of Inter’s quality, not to mention a penchant for overcoming deficits, it’s downright anxiety-inducing. As the first half wore on, Inter grew increasingly adept at breaking the Roma press and creating scoring chances of their own, coming excruciatingly close to equalizing in the 26th minute, only to be denied by a scrambling Mile Svilar.
Still, despite Inter’s interstitial awakening, Roma held statistical sway as the match crept toward intermission, holding nearly 60% of the ball and outshooting their visitors 10-3. The only thing that could have strengthened Roma’s position was another goal before the break, and that’s precisely what they received, thanks once again to Koné.
While a semi-touch from Gianluca Mancini robbed him of an actual assist, Dybala planted the seeds of this goal with a delicately placed ball at the far post, practically dropping it in Koné’s lap to pad Roma’s heading into the break.
Inter Turns the Tide
Unfortunately, Roma’s joy was short-lived as Inter pulled one back almost immediately after the second half began.
Starting with a Mancini turnover in midfield and conceding a goal despite outnumbering the opposition 5-2 in the box, this was a complete disaster for the Giallorossi. After losing possession (and his footing), Mancini failed to keep pace with Marcus Thuram down the left channel, setting the stage for a quick one-two goal between the Frenchman and Lautaro Martinez, who slotted the ball home amidst a thicket of four Roma defenders.
Despite seeing their lead halved in just 60 seconds, Roma stemmed the tide, ceding possession but doing enough to avoid a total disaster. With a one-goal lead to protect, Gasperini went heavy on defense in the second half, bringing on Evan Ndicka, Niccolo Pisilli and Devyne Rensch at the hour mark, before replacing the injured Leonardo Balerdi with Daniele Ghilardi in the 63rd minute.
Roma came close to regaining their two-goal lead in the 68th minute after Malen executed an impressive settle-turn-shoot move in the box, rifling a shot off Inter keeper Josep Martinez’s face. This was Roma’s last best chance, and while I’m not sure it qualifies as a save—he was otherwise beaten before the ball happened to hit his face—this stroke of luck loomed large in the final result.
Ten minutes later, Roma Happened…
Similar to his first strike, Martinez found the tiniest crevice in Roma’s defense, tucking in between multiple red shirts before beating Svilar at the far post. And that was all she wrote for the Giallorossi, who didn’t manage a single attempt in the final 10 minutes plus stoppage.
Final Thoughts
Despite whatever disappointment we’re feeling now, things aren’t that bleak. With today’s draw, Roma remain in first place, even on points with Inter Milan, though Lazio and Como may soon join them on 13 points. No, the real shame in today’s results is twofold: First, they failed to create a three-point lead at the top of the table, an opportunity cost that could haunt them later this spring, but, perhaps more importantly, they failed a critical litmus test.
A victory today wouldn’t have sewn up the Scudetto, but it would have been a clear and undeniable signal that Roma’s title ambitions were legitimate. Reeling off five straight wins to begin the season, punctuated by a convincing victory over the defending champions before heading into the international break, would have been a tremendous shot in the arm for the Giallorossi.
Up Next
The international break. Roma jumps back into action on October 11th when they face Como on the road.
