Stramaccioni rapt with Inter defensive

Inter Milan head coach Andrea Stramaccioni was pleased with his side’s defensive efforts after they held Roma to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Inter, fourth on the Serie A table, travelled to the Stadio Olimpico hoping to stop a free-scoring Roma side, who have netted 44 goals in their 21 games this season.

In both of Roma’s last two home fixtures in the league they have scored four goals – in wins over Fiorentina and AC Milan respectively – and a similar rout looked on the cards when the hosts made a sensational start.

They were lively going forward and took the lead after 22 minutes thanks to a penalty from veteran striker Francesco Totti.

But Inter held firm despite the initial onslaught and bagged an equaliser in first half stoppage time when Argentine forward Rodrigo Palacio scored for the third match in a row.

And that was enough for the visitors to claim a point from a potentially tricky encounter, a result that keeps the club within four points of second-placed Napoli.

Stramaccioni was happy with the way his side restricted Roma while he also praised his attackers, who impressed despite top-scorer Diego Milito and Antonio Cassano being sidelined.

“Roma opened the game in an extraordinary way and I have no problem admitting that they put us into difficulties for the first 20, 25 minutes,” Stramaccioni said.

“If we consider that Roma scored four goals against Fiorentina and four against Milan in the last two games they played at home, their attacking potential is clear.

“Roma had other chances in the final stage of the game, but we were dangerous too every time we attacked and I think that it was a pleasant game to watch, spectacular in some moments.

“We were missing some (players) in attack and they could have been useful, with all the respect for (those) who played a great game.”