Gasperini backs Roma to build on hard-fought draw with Inter
Gasperini sees positives in Roma’s 2-2 draw
Gian Piero Gasperini believes Roma will take confidence from their 2-2 draw with Inter, despite allowing the Serie A champions to recover from a two-goal deficit at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma appeared in control after Manu Kone scored twice before half-time, but Lautaro Martinez struck 51 seconds after the restart before adding the equaliser with 11 minutes of normal time remaining.
Inter also threatened through Alessandro Bastoni, who hit the woodwork, while Marcus Thuram saw a backheel attempt drift narrowly wide of Mile Svilar’s near post. The result was the first Serie A draw between the sides since January 2021.
Unbeaten start offers encouragement
The point extended Roma’s unbeaten run to five league matches, their best opening to a Serie A season since 2014-15. Roma have also scored at least two goals in 10 consecutive league matches for the first time in the club’s history.
“I think we played on level terms, both teams could've won at different points,” Gasperini told DAZN Italia. “This match must give us confidence going forward.”
The Roma coach said the performance demonstrated that his team can compete with the strongest sides in the division, while insisting there is still room for improvement.
“We should be happy with our progress and the quality we put into these matches, not just fitness and enthusiasm,” Gasperini said. “There is a lot of positivity on this side, and we should continue along this path.”
Second-half lapses remain a concern
Roma had not led Inter by at least two goals in a Serie A match since their 3-1 victory at San Siro in February 2017. Their latest collapse also continued a pattern of conceding early in the second half, with two of their three league goals conceded this season coming during that period.
Gasperini acknowledged that Roma’s defending became too casual after taking control of the match. “It’s probably not a coincidence, because the way we conceded was too superficial and even presumptuous,” he said.
Even as fatigue affected some players, Roma continued to pursue a winning goal and came close to restoring their lead when Malen fired an effort into the goalkeeper. Gasperini said his side “never held back against a strong opponent, both in technical and physical terms.”