Lautaro scores twice as Inter fight back to draw with Roma

Sometimes football produces moments that seem almost impossible to script. On a day unlike any other, with Sandro Mazzola being remembered, it was fitting that Lautaro Martinez would lead Inter’s comeback against Roma. It was a thrilling game, full of quality, drama and emotion. After Koné’s first-half brace put Roma 2-0 up, it looked like the hosts were on course for a convincing win. But this Inter side has shown time and again that it refuses to give in. For the third time this season, the Nerazzurri had fallen two goals behind in the league. And for the third time, Chivu’s side fought back to avoid defeat. Lautaro was at the heart of it all. The captain led the comeback, driving on a fearless Inter side that once again refused to accept an ending that seemed to have already been decided. After a difficult first half against Roma’s pressing and quality, Inter came out for the second half with a completely different energy. Just 50 seconds after the restart, the Toro pulled one back, making his trademark run across the box to meet Thuram’s pass and finish. From there, Inter kept pushing for an equaliser, while leaving themselves exposed to the occasional Roma counter. The comeback was completed in the 79th minute. First, Svilar produced a stunning save. Then Lautaro’s header hit the crossbar. But the ball came back to the captain, who made no mistake at the second attempt, firing a powerful right-footed finish into the net. 2-2. Inter simply never give up. Both teams pushed for a winner in the final stages, but neither could find the decisive moment. And so it ended with the captain making the difference on the very day that one of Inter’s greatest captains was being remembered. From Mazzola to Lautaro. Just like that day at Appiano Gentile when the two met and spoke about Inter and football, as the Toro recalled on his social media channels. We like to think Sandro would have enjoyed watching the spectacle at the Olimpico, on a Saturday that was unlike any other.

ROMA 2-2 INTER

Goals: 6' Koné (R), 37' Koné (R), 46' Lautaro (I), 79' Lautaro (I)

ROMA (3-4-2-1): 99 Svilar; 23 Mancini (5 Ndicka 60'), 26 Balerdi (87 Ghilardi 66'), 22 Hermoso (3 Koulierakis 79'); 43 Wesley, 4 Cristante, 17 Koné (61 Pisilli 60'), 20 Molina (2 Rensch 60'); 21 Dybala, 18 Soulé; 14 Malen. Substitutes: 70 De Marzi, 95 Gollini, 7 Pellegrini, 9 Castro, 15 De Roon, 77 Lulli, 86 Mora. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Martinez; 31 Bisseck, 25 Akanji, 95 Bastoni (11 Luis Henrique 63'); 17 Diouf, 23 Barella, 7 Zielinski, 21 Jones (8 Sucic 54'), 32 Dimarco (30 Carlos Augusto 54'); 9 Thuram (14 Bonny 90'), 10 Lautaro (94 Esposito 90'). Substitutes: 12 Di Gennaro, 49 Provedel, 5 Stankovic, 22 Mkhitaryan, 28 Pavard, 46 Bovio, 48 Mosconi. Coach: Cristian Chivu

Booked: Barella (I), Akanji (I), Bastoni (I), Ndicka (R), Koulierakis (R), Ghilardi (I)

Stoppage time: 3' - 3'

Referee: Massa Assistants: Meli - Berti Fourth official: Maresca VAR: Mazzoleni AVAR: Di Paolo