Highlights: AS Roma 4-2 Inter Milan; Roma stay within touching distance of Juventus
AS Roma came into this with fixture having been unbeaten against Inter in the last six encounters. Roma had also scored 206 goals in 162 games against the blue half of Milan, more than any other club. But, in those 162 times these teams have faced off, Inter has won 62 times while Roma has won 46 times.
With this game kicking off just after Juventus won 3 points against Torino, Rudi Garcia knew his Roma side needed all three points to keep the pressure on Juve alive.
Roma started with an attacking 4-3-3. Seydou Keita offered their defence the shield with Pjanic and Nainggolan running riots down the right and left flanks respectively. On top were Gervinho, Totti and Ljajic.
Inter started with a narrow 4-3-1-2. Gary Medel shielded their defence while Osvaldo and Palacio upfront.
From the beginning itself it looked like Inter Milan had laid down a red carpet on their left flank for Roma to attack. And sure they did.
Roma 1-0 Inter Milan (Gervinho. 21’)
Totti, Maicon and Ljajic combined down their right flank before Ljajic Plays along ball to the crowded penalty area. Gervinho arrives between goalkeeper and defender to prod home.
Inter had a spell where they were creating a lot of pressure via long throw ins mainly from Campagnaro. Roma dealt with it well and almost looked like Roma didn’t mind the odd Inter attack as this gave them an opportunity to counter attack on a regular basis. Gervinho scored again from a similar position like the first. and the same source, Ljajic. But it was ruled out as Gervinho made the run too early and was adjudged offside.
Roma 1-1 Inter Milan (Ranocchia, 36’)
The Nerazurri take the most taken route in European football.A corner was driven in and the big defender towered over everybody to get his team level.
Just before the half mark, a beautiful ball over the top almost caught Roma’s defence asleep. Only the combination of Manolas and Holebas denied Osvaldo a clear sight of the goal.
Just after play resumed for the second half, Holebas proved why he is one of the best left-backs,if not the best in Europe at the moment.
AS Roma 2-1 Inter Milan (Jose Jolebas, 47’)
Holebas ran down the left flank, beat two players and then let fly a screamer of a strike into the far top corner. This was the first goal for Holebas in Roma colours.
Inter Milan played some old fashioned hopeful long balls for quite sometime. Inter faithfuls would say Roma’s uninterrupted pressure made it almost impossible for them to pass around on the ground. Just about then, Osvaldo unleased a stunner- almost. He showed great technique and agility but the contact wasn’t the sweetest he is capable of.
Inter, all of a sudden, against the flow of the game came back into it.
AS Roma 2-2 Inter Milan (Dani Osvaldo, 57’)
The ball was delivered into the box from the left flank rather hopefully. Danny Osvaldo grabbed on to it and took a shot. The shot deflected off Holebas and thus wrong footed De Sanctis.
With a little more than half an hour left this seemed to get exciting. Inter seem to have the momentum swing their way. Just then Roma score again.
AS Roma 3-2 Inter Milan (Miralem Pjanic, 60’)
Gervinho like he did all game terrorised Dodo, Inter’s young left back. He skipped past two players before squaring the ball for his Totti. Totti lost balance yet set up Pjanic who hit it like it was a penalty.
After this Roma retained possesssion. Florenzi, who had just come off the bench, ran like down the same right wing and whipped in a powerful cross. The referee adjudged it to have gone behind the goal line and to the referee’s credit, the decision was spot on.
Gervinho kept running at Inter’s defence and beat them a little too easily all afternoon. One of his runs resulted in a free-kick from a range Pjanic has scored many a time.
AS Roma 4-2 Inter Milan (Pjanic 90+2’)
A beautiful curling strike gives the shot-stopper no chance at all beating him at his right top-corner.
With this win, AS Roma and Rudi Garcia have showed they mean business and they won’t let Juventus win their fourth consecutive Scudetto. Looks like Roma have safely establishe themselves as the top contenders.