Wojciech Szczesny on point, Edin Dzeko on fire as Roma see off Inter

Roma shook themselves out of their recent slump in form and won an absolutely thrilling contest with Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico that could have easily finished four apiece for the number of goalscoring opportunities created by both sides. Edin Dzeko starred with his best ever display in Giallorosso. Wojciech Szczesny was magnificent at the other end, keeping Inter at bay for 72 minutes with three superb stops. Luciano Spalletti’s side keep hold of their 100 percent home record and move third in Serie A.

Positives

At times, Roma were breathtaking going forward, in particular in the first half, and that was down to Edin Dzeko’s fantastic hold up play and devastating running on the flanks. Inter’s defence was constantly on their heels, with backs facing their own goal throughout. On another night Roma would have been two or three up inside 20 minutes. It was great to see some fight once Inter came back into the game and levelled the scores, and the celebrations at the end brought back memories of Spalletti’s first spell in Rome.

Negatives

Inter are no mugs, but Roma conceded far too much space to the Nerazzurri, and if it wasn’t for Szczesny’s play, it could have been yet another three points thrown away. Spalletti admitted as much post-match, and organisation in the defensive phase is still something that needs ironing out. The dreadful defensive line for Ever Banega’s leveller was a case in point.

Manager rating out of 10

8 — Spalletti’s reworked starting XI, with Alessandro Florenzi finally back in an attacking position behind Dzeko, came absolutely roaring out of the blocks. His decision to put Bruno Peres in at right-back paid dividends with a superb assist for Roma’s first. The intensity and flair was there, and the Tuscan should take the credit for that.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):

GK Wojciech Szczesny, 9 — Held Roma’s slender lead for nearly an hour with his lightning quick reflexes. Maturing into a really fine goalkeeper.

DF Juan Jesus, 6 — Many supporters would have been having palpitations thinking about him against Antonio Candreva, but the Brazilian acquitted himself well despite nervousness on the ball.

DF Kostas Manolas, 7 — Was lucky to see his winning header clip off Mauro Icardi and fly past Handanovic, and despite winning almost all of his personal battles is still failing to organise a solid backline

DF Federico Fazio, 6 — Found himself way out of position for the looping Icardi pass that led to Banega’s equaliser, but made some good clearances too. There’s a centre-back in there somewhere trying to escape.

DF Bruno Peres, 6 — Excellent going forward as ever, but Ivan Perisic had way too much joy down his right-flank, and it almost cost his team.

MF Daniele De Rossi, 8 — Back wearing the captain’s armband, the local hero put in his best display in ages, winning tackle after tackle and distributing the ball brilliantly.

MF Kevin Strootman, 8 — Excellent alongside De Rossi, snapping into tackles and turning in a dominant midfield display.

MF Alessandro Florenzi, 7 — Put in the assist for Manolas’ winner with a lovely near-post cross, and offered overflowing commitment to the cause.

FW Diego Perotti, 6 — Looked a bit hampered by being restricted to the left flank, but could still have had at least one goal of his own after drifting inside to hammer in a couple of dangerous shots.

FW Edin Dzeko, 9 — Looked like the centre-forward Romanisti hoped for when he arrived in the summer of 2015. Bashed Inter’s defence about all night and at times showed a deftness of touch that even Francesco Totti would have been proud of.

FW Mohamed Salah, 5 — Offered plenty of threat down the right with his pace, and set up Peres to slide in Dzeko for the opener, but wasted two absolute sitters and failed to put in a decent cross all night.

Substitutes

MF Radja Nainggolan, N/R — Got a short run out at the end, as Spalletti looks to rehabilitate the Belgian from his dip in form.

MF Leandro Paredes, N/R — Replaced Perotti as Spalletti tried to close some of the gaps opening up under Inter pressure.

FW Stephan El Shaarawy, N/R — Made little impact as a 70th-minute sub for the disappointing Salah.

Terry is based in Rome and is ESPN FC’s AS Roma blogger. Twitter: @T_Daley