/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62611426/1067734840.jpg.0.jpg)
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 73rd-minute penalty by Aleksander Kolarov erased an awesome heading finish by Mauro Icardi in the 66th 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 37th minute.
Roma 0-1 Inter (Keita Balde) pic.twitter.com/C3qrbDb0Zu
— InterYaSkriniar (@InterYaSkriniar) December 2, 2018
With a 1-0 lead coming out of halftime, it appeared the Nerazzurri had all the momentum in the second half until the 51st minute.
Cengiz Under delivered a massive strike from outside the box that seemed to paralyze Samir Handanvic and find the back of the net.
Roma 1-1 Inter (Cengiz Ünder) pic.twitter.com/cw1IQPgGCk
— InterYaSkriniar (@InterYaSkriniar) December 2, 2018
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 74th 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.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13596345/1067735874.jpg.jpg)
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.
What do you think? Post your comments below!