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Match - Sun 20 January, 21:45, Stadio Olimpico
| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 10. Francesco Totti (22’) | 8. Rodrigo Palacio (45’) |
Inter miss chance to close in on third
Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at Roma
With Lazio having drawn 2-2 at Palermo on Saturday, the Nerazzurri could have closed the gap to third to just two points with a win at the Stadio Olimpico.
It was not to be, as a Francesco Totti penalty put the Romans in charge of the match before Rodrigo Palacio equalised in injury time at the end of the first half.
The result leaves Inter in fourth with 39 points, nine adrift of leaders Juventus and six ahead of seventh-placed Roma.
The result leaves Inter in fourth with 39 points, nine adrift of leaders Juventus and six ahead of seventh-placed Roma.
Roma had the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute, but Pablo Osvaldo was correctly ruled offside before sliding the ball past Samir Handanovic in the Inter goal.
Just before the midway point of the first half, the hosts opened the scoring via an emphatic penalty from captain Francesco Totti.
The awarding of the spot kick was somewhat controversial, however, as Michael Bradley appeared to hurdle the challenge of Andrea Ranocchia, but referee Daniele Orsato insisted on awarding a penalty.
After going behind, the visitors showed signs of moving up the gears and threatened to equalise 10 minutes before the break through Fredy Guarin, who sent a rasping shot just off target.
Two minutes later youngster Marco Livaja almost pulled off a stunning goal out of nothing, but his imaginative effort rebounded off the woodwork.
On the stroke of half time, the team in black and blue found the leveller through Rodrigo Palacio, who fired home from close range after great set-up play by Guarin down the right of the penalty area.
Roma somewhat surprisingly pulled off Daniele De Rossi at half time and replaced him with Panagiotis Tachtsidis, though the change did provide some extra impetus in midfield which saw the hosts dominate the opening exchanges of the second half.
On the whole, however, neither side was really able to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Both Roma and Inter created half chances, and neither defence truly looked comfortable, but the expected goals never arrived.
Roma right-back Ivan Piris should have put his side ahead with 10 minutes left of regulation time, but he volleyed over after a sweeping move, while Handanovic was also called upon to make a good save from a dipping Erik Lamela effort.
Just before the midway point of the first half, the hosts opened the scoring via an emphatic penalty from captain Francesco Totti.
The awarding of the spot kick was somewhat controversial, however, as Michael Bradley appeared to hurdle the challenge of Andrea Ranocchia, but referee Daniele Orsato insisted on awarding a penalty.
After going behind, the visitors showed signs of moving up the gears and threatened to equalise 10 minutes before the break through Fredy Guarin, who sent a rasping shot just off target.
Two minutes later youngster Marco Livaja almost pulled off a stunning goal out of nothing, but his imaginative effort rebounded off the woodwork.
On the stroke of half time, the team in black and blue found the leveller through Rodrigo Palacio, who fired home from close range after great set-up play by Guarin down the right of the penalty area.
Roma somewhat surprisingly pulled off Daniele De Rossi at half time and replaced him with Panagiotis Tachtsidis, though the change did provide some extra impetus in midfield which saw the hosts dominate the opening exchanges of the second half.
On the whole, however, neither side was really able to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Both Roma and Inter created half chances, and neither defence truly looked comfortable, but the expected goals never arrived.
Roma right-back Ivan Piris should have put his side ahead with 10 minutes left of regulation time, but he volleyed over after a sweeping move, while Handanovic was also called upon to make a good save from a dipping Erik Lamela effort.
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