Inter’s Draw Against Roma - Five Takeaways

After a week off, Inter took on Roma in a match where both clubs were unable to inch closer Lazio who sit in third place in the Serie A standings after a 1-1 draw. The lone goal for Roma came at the 31st minute from Stephan El Shaarawy while Inter’s equalizer came from Matías Vecino in the 86th minute. With another draw in the books, Inter now sits in fourth place as Lazio has taken over third place in the standings.

Here are the five takeaways from Inter’s draw against Roma.

1. The Defense Continues to Keep Inter in Matches

In the first half, Roma was in possession of the ball and generated most of the offensive attack. From the start of the game to 45th-minute mark, they were on their heels as Roma produce four out of their five created chances (including their first goal) in the first half. However, after playing solid defense while waiting for their offense to wake-up; they finally coughed up a goal. The squad did surrender the goal, but they didn’t allow any further damage which again allowed them to remain in the match.

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2. Milan Skriniar Remains Inter’s Best Defender

As Inter looks to make a few moves before the transfer window closes, their best signing occurred in the summer when they added some defensive help in Milan Skriniar. Their defensive depth remains an issue. However, the Slovakian is doing his part in making sure the squad remains in games and Sunday was no different. After Roma opened the scoring, Skriniar didn’t allow for them to break even more as five out of six clearances came after Roma’s opening goal. His passing was also crisp and on point for most of the night as Skriniar finished with a 92% pass completion. Finally, using Squawka’s performance score, the 22-year-old, it showed that as the match went on, he only got better which has become the norm for the young defender.

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3. Unable to Finish Chances Plagues Inter

As strange as it may sound to Inter supporters, the squad created the most chances (11) and had the most shots (17) in the match. The offense was nonexistent in the first-half and once again had to play catch-up which is why in the second-half Inter took more chances offensively. Also, seven out of their 17 shots were on target, but Inter couldn’t catch a break offensively as the match went on. The football gods denied any opportunity the team had as their shots were either off-target or rejected by the post. Nonetheless, the finally were able to net the tying goal, but with the opportunities missed, Inter could’ve walked away with more than one point.

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4. Wins and Three Points Elude Inter, Again

With their 1-1 draw to Roma, this marks yet another draw for Inter who cannot seem to catch a break as wins and three points continue to slip away from them. In their past nine fixtures, they have either lost or settled for a draw, which is starting to affect their position in the standings. Entering 2018, Inter was in one of three Champions League positions, but three weeks into the new year, Lazio has leaped over as the lack of wins are coming back to haunt Inter. If the squad cannot pile together wins, then they can kiss a spot in next seasons Champions League goodbye.

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5. Inter Cannot Distance Themselves from the Competition

Inter has now gone up against Roma and Lazio, the two clubs they are battling with for third place, but after an early win against Roma in August, they have done little to separate themselves from them. In their last two meetings, they drew against Lazio and Roma which resulted in Lazio leaping over them for third place. Inter’s next fixture is against SPAL, and it’s a match that they have to win so they can regain their third place position. This opponent is one Inter should take care of, but as many supporters now know with this squad, points are no given, nevertheless, Forza Inter!