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Inter and Roma have enjoyed similar seasons so far, with only three points separating the two before the game kicked off.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s men had a game-in-hand as compared to Inter, but they could not take full advantage of this fixture as they still remain three points behind the Nerazzurri.
It was a hotly-contested match that possibly deserved to end in a point apiece for both teams. There were moments of utter brilliance from Inter and Roma, but a draw was a fair result.
Here are 5 talking points from the game:
#5 Aleksandar Kolarov is a major asset
One of Roma’s outstanding players this season has been Aleksandar Kolarov, signed from Manchester City on a free transfer at the end of last season.
The Serbian international has been a prominent prong in the Giallorossi’s attack as he provides width and experience down the left-hand side. Kolarov is currently taking 2.32 shots per 90 minutes, one of the best figures from any fullbacks across all of Europe.
It is clear to see that Kolarov provides more than just his defensive duties to the club, as he has already recorded three assists this season - the joint-most amount from any Roma player in this year’s campaign.
Once again, against Inter, Kolarov was bombarding down the wing, pushing Inter’s defence into a deep slump which, in turn, caused them incredible difficulty to get out of their half and build phases in their attack.
#4 Ivan Perišić and Mauro Icardi’s partnership is Inter’s only hope
Inter played a lot better in the second half, attempting to push forward at a more vigorous rate and consistently knocking on the door of Roma’s goal.
Two players that embodied that fight was Ivan Perišić and Mauro Icardi - Inter’s most valuable players in recent years. Perišić was dominant down the left side and proved to be a threat every time he received the ball and went on one of his trademark runs.
The Croatian forward always has one eye open to interpret Icardi’s movement and to understand his whereabouts. At all times, Perišić will look to find a breakthrough for the Argentinean. But there were seldom chances which Roma allowed their opponents to exploit - their defence was robust and rigid.
The onslaught came in the last 15 minutes where the Giallorossi sat back incredibly deep in their own half, waiting for the next wave of attack coming at them from Inter. They retreated and made it very difficult for themselves.
#3 Radja Nainggolan is one of the best in the world
There is a reason why Radja Nainggolan is rated as one of the best midfielders in the world, and that reason was laid out in full against Inter. The Belgian international was superb from start to finish in clearing danger and launching counter-attacks to aid Inter’s attack.
Nainggolan dominated the midfield battle for large parts of the game, drawing Inter’s defenders in to man-mark him which allowed him to create space for his other teammates.
Roma were on the ropes towards the end of the game, after Inter’s equaliser, but Nainggolan was the go-to player once again to make sure Roma calmed down and played the ball on the ground, not in the air. Nainggolan is one of the best midfielders in the world and there should be no debate over that fact.
The Belgian has consistently put in sensational performances over the last few years and has been at the centre of routine speculation surrounding his future.
#2 Inter will feel like they should have done more
It took a long time for Inter to come out of their shell and pose a threat to Roma’s goal. It was all one-sided in the first half, with Di Francesco's side creating most of the chances and playing in the more dangerous areas of the pitch.
However, Luciano Spalletti’s team came out stronger in the second half and eventually knocked the door down to equalise in the dying embers of the game.
It was not a perfect game from Inter, and they will have felt that they should have, and could have, won this match if they had taken a more aggressive attacking approach from the first whistle.
There were some very good and positive moments from Inter’s attack in the second half, but that kind of movement and fluidity between the lines was not present in the first 45 minutes.
It was disappointing to witness, and Spalletti will surely have some regrets with how he approached this game.
#1 Neither team look like they can win the Scudetto
With this game ending in a draw, both Roma and Inter and unlikely to properly challenge for the title now until the end of the season, with the two teams focussing primarily on a UEFA Champions League qualification spot.
Teams have been splintering into groups over the past few weekends with Napoli and Juventus leading the chase for the Scudetto, while Lazio, Roma and Inter are looking to finish in the top four to play in Europe’s top-tier competition.
While both, Roma and Inter have been fantastic at times this season, the consistency has been lacking in their performances and is the pivotal reason as to why they are not truly challenging Juventus and Napoli to be crowned champions.
They have both had commendable first halves of the season, but they need to become more clinical against the traditional ‘lesser’ sides, where they have crucially slipped.
Stranger things have happened, but at the moment, the title looks like a long shot for Inter and Roma this year.
