MILAN: Chris Smalling steered Roma to a 2-1 win at Inter Milan on Saturday (October 1) which kept them in touch with Serie A leaders Napoli following their 3-1 victory over Torino.
England defender Smalling nailed Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free-kick perfectly 15 minutes from time to complete Roma’s comeback after a fine first-half goal from Federico Dimarco.
Jose Mourinho’s side, who equalized Paulo Dybala six minutes before half-time, are four points behind Napoli in fourth place after a victory that also leaves Inter further in the title race.
Seventh-placed Simone Inzaghi’s side are eight points off the pace after losing for the fourth time in eight games, far from the best preparation for Barcelona’s crucial Champions League visit on Tuesday.
Inter started strong and effectively camped in Roma’s half for most of the first half, with the opposing side unable to do anything more than sit back and try. to repel the waves of attack.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead on 10 minutes, Edin Dzeko punishing his former side’s terrible defense by spinning and hitting a low shot past Rui Patricio.
However, the Bosnian had swerved offside in the build-up and Inter had to wait half an hour for the goal their play deserved.
Interacademy product Dimarco followed up with a goal against Hungary that helped Italy progress to the Nations League semifinals by sweeping away Nicolo Barella’s well-weighted pass.
The hosts looked big favorites for the three points, but the goal roused Roma, who were level nine minutes later.
Starting up front in place of Tammy Abraham, Dybala had just been denied by a double save from Samir Handanovic which also deterred Leonardo Spinazzola when he beat his brilliant equalizer from deep inside the Italian left-back.
The Argentina striker was replaced by Abraham just before the hour mark and Inter responded, Hakan Calhanoglu hitting a free-kick over the bar before Kristjan Asllani, replacing Marcelo Brozovic, launched a curling effort just wide .
However, Roma settled in and Smalling tipped the result in the away team’s favor with his second of the season to give Mourinho a valuable victory against his former club.
NAPLES IN FRONT
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa scored his first Serie A goals in Napoli’s home win over fiery Torino, his brace inside the opening 12 minutes setting up the hosts for their sixth rebound win in all competitions.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s fifth of his first season in Serie A eight minutes before half-time will also keep Napoli in first place unless Atalanta beat Fiorentina by five goals on Sunday.
“I’m very happy, I don’t want to lie, it’s the first time for me in Serie A,” Anguissa told DAZN.
“It’s important to score but I just want to do my job. If the goals come I’m happy but the first thing for me is my team, for my team to win.
“So if we can win every game, even if I don’t score, I don’t care. I just want to win.”
Napoli start next week’s trip to Ajax in high spirits knowing they could take a big step towards the Champions League knockout stage.
Luciano Spalletti’s side have also scored 18 times in their eight league appearances despite having been without starting centre-forward Victor Osimhen in their last three matches.
Torino, who scored through Antonio Sanabria just before the break, remain ninth after losing their third game in a row and are level on 10 points with local rivals Juventus who host Bologna on Sunday.
Ivan Juric’s side have been unlucky to pick up no points in their last three games, with their two previous defeats coming late and after decent performances.