Inter Milan lets AS Roma back in during 2-2 draw

Just when you think you have it … you don’t.

Inter Milan took the lead twice only to watch AS Roma equalize both times, in short order as the Nerazzurri managed just one point in a 2-2 draw with Roma Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico.

A 73^rd-minute penalty by Aleksander Kolarov erased an awesome heading finish by Mauro Icardi in the 66^th minute to preserve the tie for Roma.

The draw keeps Inter in the top four, four points ahead of fourth-place AC Milan and temporarily tied with Napoli — who will face Atalanta Monday.

After controlling most of the first half, it was Inter who drew first when Danilo D’Ambrosio received a great outlet from Joao Mario. D’Ambrosio crossed inside to a streaking Keita Balde who drilled home a picture-perfect finish in the air to put Inter Milan up 1-0 in the 37^th minute.

With a 1-0 lead coming out of halftime, it appeared the Nerazzurri had all the momentum in the second half until the 51^st minute.

Cengiz Under delivered a massive strike from outside the box that seemed to paralyze Samir Handanvic and find the back of the net.

But, just 15 minutes later, on a corner delivery from Marcelo Brozovic, Mauro Icardi headed home what looked like it could be the game-winner past Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Then, in the 74^th minute, things got a little strange on a Roma corner. Milan Skriniar appeared to head the ball away from danger, but Brozovic nudged out his elbow and made contact with the ball.

Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

After a video-assisted referee review, Roma was awarded a penalty for handball in the area.

Kolarov stepped up and put the ball past Handanovic — who came into the match saving 37 of 100 penalties he faced.

Inter now face a tough road as they have just four days to prepare for a trip to Turin to face league-leading Juventus in the first installment of this season’s Derby d’Italia. It will be the Nerazzurri’s first time to face Cristiano Ronaldo. Juventus is coming off a 3-0 blasting of Fiorentina in Florence Saturday.

Following the match in Turin, Inter will return to the Guisippe Meazza to take on PSV Eindhoven in a crucial Champions League match that will decide whether the Nerazzurri enter the knockout round of the Champions League or move down to the Europa League draw.

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