Inter Milan 1-1 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi took the lead at the San Siro through Stephan El Shaarawy and, thanks in large part to some heroics from goalkeeper Alisson Becker, were still in possession of that advantage as the game entered the final five minutes.

But Vecino arrived in the box to head home the equaliser for the Nerazzurri, denying Eusebio Di Francesco's side a valuable three points.

The result means the Giallorossi remain fifth in the Serie A standings, albeit still within reach of both Inter and rivals Lazio.

It was El Shaarawy who broke the deadlock on the night, as he latched onto Alisson's deep ball before nonchalantly chipping over the onrushing Samir Handanovic. Inter responded strongly but Alisson seemed more than a match of anything thrown at him: as he denied good chances for Mauro Icardi, Eder and Antonio Candreva.

In the end, however, there was little he could do as Vecino got the crucial touch on the end of a Marcelo Brozovic cross to clinch a share of the spoils for Luciano Spalletti's men.

Team selection

With Diego Perotti and Maxime Gonalons not fit to travel, and Daniele De Rossi subsequently deemed not fit enough to play, Di Francesco opted for Kevin Strootman in the centre of midfield, changing his tactical setup slightly to match his restricted options.

Radja Nainggolan started as part of the attacking three, with Gerson and Lorenzo Pellegrini joining Strootman in midfield.

Alessandro Florenzi captained the side.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

7' - El Shaarawy has a fraction of space but smashes a shot high and wide from a difficult angle.

15' - Now it's Candreva's turn to smash a speculative effort well wide.

21' - A corner routine from the Giallorossi ends with Strootman flicking Kolarov's low cross wide of the near post.

29' - Good save from Alisson to deny Perisic, as the winger is presented with the best chance of the match so far.

30' - Roma respond immediately as Gerson lays the ball off invitingly for Pellegrini, but the midfielder drags his low shot just wide of the far post!

31' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Alisson looks for the ball over the top to release El Shaarawy - Santon gets a touch but the forward gathers the ball before running into the box and chipping Handanovic expertly! 0-1!

35' - Icardi scuffs wide from inside the box.

44' - Two good moments for Alisson - who rushes to claim the ball at the feet of Icardi, and then minutes later gathers a hanging Inter corner.

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

54' - Corner for Roma. Dzeko meets Pellegrini's delivery but cannot steer the header goalward.

62' - Alisson makes a good save from Candreva after the midfielder hits a low drive from the edge of the box.

68' - Cancelo is booked for diving: the full-back goes down in the box but the referee correctly adjudges that there was no contact from Fazio.

72' - Another good save from Alisson: this time he denies substitute Eder after the forward gets in behind the defence.

74' - Huge save from Alisson! Perisic gets in behind the defence and crosses, Icardi hits a shot on the turn but Alisson somehow flicks the ball onto the post and clear!

78' - Eder misses the target after being presented with a clear header from eight yards out. A big escape for Roma...

80' - Alisson again! Incredible stop! The Brazilian gets down low to his left to claw away Icardi's powerful first-time effort!

86' - Goal. Inter equalise. Dalbert's cross is met by Vecino, who heads home from close range. 1-1.

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

"We’re a bit disappointed with the draw. Despite our issues with central midfielders, we came here to win the game and take home the three points. We’ve definitely got less than we’ve deserved so far this season – that was the case in the first game against Inter too. Having said that, at times we only have ourselves to blame and that was the case today."

- Eusebio Di Francesco

What's next?

The Giallorossi now have something of a rarity - back-to-back league games against the same opposition.

On Wednesday Di Francesco's side face Sampdoria in Genoa, in the re-arranged fixture after September's scheduled clash was cancelled due to flood warnings. Then, on Saturday, both teams will re-unite at the Stadio Olimpico for the return fixture.

INTER 1-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Vecino (86'); El Shaarawy (31')

Inter: Handanovic; Cancelo, Skriniar, Miranda, Santon (Dalbert); Vecino, Gagliardini (Brozovic); Candreva (Eder), Borja Valero, Perisic; Icardi.

Roma: Alisson; Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; Pellegrini, Strootman, Gerson (Bruno Peres); El Shaarawy (Juan Jesus), Dzeko (Schick), Nainggolan.

"We saw two sides to Roma: in the first half we were aggressive, pressing them high, winning the ball back. After the break we dropped off, we lost some of that aggression and they took confidence from that and got the goal.”

- Stephan El Shaarawy