Gian Piero Gasperini, the head coach of AS Roma, showed a mix of frustration and admiration after his team let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw against Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite the draw, Gasperini crossed the field to greet Lautaro Martínez, the Inter striker who scored both goals in the second half. He joked that Martínez always seems to score against him and told him to "stop," but he also admitted that Martínez's performance was impressive. Roma's goals came from Manu Koné, who scored twice, while Inter's equalizers were from Martínez and Marcus Thuram. Roma began the match strongly, with Koné scoring in the sixth minute after a cross from Paulo Dybala. He added a second goal in the 37th minute, finishing another Dybala cross after a touch from Gianluca Mancini. The goal was initially disallowed but later confirmed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). In the second half, Roma’s goalkeeper Mile Svilar made a crucial save to deny Thuram’s header from a corner. However, Martínez equalized in the 79th minute, giving Inter the draw. Inter’s ability to come back from two-goal deficits has become a recurring theme this season. They had previously overcome such situations against Napoli and Udinese, and might have done the same against Real Madrid in the Champions League had it not been for a strong performance by Real’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Inter’s coach, Cristian Chivu, acknowledged the team’s struggles in the first half but focused on their strong second-half performance in his post-match interview. Roma’s defensive issues were evident, as they have conceded goals within the first three minutes of the second half in three games this season. Gasperini humorously referenced this trend with a nod to the Agatha Christie novel And Then There Were None. He emphasized the need for Roma to stay focused on their own performance and continue competing for the Serie A title, known as the Scudetto. Roma’s attacking lineup, featuring Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen, Matías Soulé, or the young Rodrigo Mora, has been a key strength in Serie A. The signing of Leonardo Balerdi from Marseille has also been an asset, allowing Roma to maintain a high defensive line. Inter’s depth was on display as well, with Chivu making strategic substitutions, including Petar Sucic and Carlos Augusto. Roma’s most expensive summer signing, Santiago Castro, is expected to add more attacking flair to the team. Gasperini remains optimistic about Roma’s potential, noting that Inter may not always be in peak form throughout the season. Martínez’s record against Gasperini-coached teams—17 games without a loss, with 12 wins and five draws, and 11 goals scored—was highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport. However, Gasperini emphasized that Martínez is only one part of the bigger picture. The match left many questions unanswered, as both teams showcased strengths and weaknesses. The Serie A standings remain tight, with Roma and Inter both on 13 points after five games, setting the stage for a highly competitive season.