Player Ratings: Inter 1-1 Roma

Inter

Julio Cesar – 6: Could do little for the very well placed Vucinic header. Good save to deny Menez on 63 minutes, but to be honest, he didn’t have very much involvement tonight.

Maicon – 7.5: Was his usual self in this clash, defending admirably, but also acting as a serious threat in attack. Surged forward on a number of occasions, and completely nullified the impact of Riise on the left for Roma.

Lucio – 6.5: Exceptional challenge to dispossess Vucinic, denying him the chance to score after three minutes. His poor defending allowed that same man to score the opener.

Samuel – 7: Solid showing by the Argentine, who continued his impressive run of form. Did not put a foot wrong all night, and tactically minimised the impact of the speedy Menez.

Zanetti – 6.5: Worked hard as always, and controlled the left side for Inter. Hard to criticise this player, and there was simply no reason to do so tonight, as he executed everything to the best of his ability.

Muntari – 5.5: Held up possession of the ball well, however he struggled to impose himself in any way. Withdrawn for the more attacking minded Sneijder at half time.

Vieira – 5.5:  Was a little clumsy at times, and lacked any real attacking threat. Failed to make the most of his opportunity to start, and he was removed at the break by Balotelli as a result.

Thiago Motta – 6: The only midfielder to survive Mourinho’s half time chop, and he proved his worth by providing the assist for the Eto’o goal. His lack of impact though came at a cost after the hour mark, as he was taken off for Cambiasso.

Stankovic – 6: The in-form attacking midfielder had one of his quieter games this season, however he didn’t commit any serious crimes on the night.

Eto’o – 7: Anonymous in the first 45 minutes of football, however he burst to life just three minutes into the second half, when he coolly slotted home the equaliser. Dominated stages of the second period, but couldn’t add to his tally.

Milito – 6: Missed a wonderful chance after getting around Motta on 18 minutes, however with exception to that, he just could not get into the right spots to do any damage.

Substitutes

Sneijder – 6: Minimal impact from the Dutchman tonight, who had 45 minutes to impose himself.

Balotelli – 6.5: A few opportunities to test Julio Sergio, however nothing to show for it. Looked lively when in possession.

Cambiasso  – 6: Decent cameo by the Argentine, although he failed to set the match alight.


Roma

Julio Sergio –7.5: Made an exceptional save to deny Milito from close range on 18 minutes, and was extremely impressive in the first half. Was left down by his defenders and could do nothing about the Eto’o goal moments into the second.

Motta – 6.5: Sent in a wonderful cross to set up Vucinic, who headed in the first. Failed to get forward as often as he would have liked though, as he was kept back by Zanetti.

Mexes – 7.5: Fought through the pain of an early ankle injury, and was the rock of a fairly shaky back four on the night. Completely nullified the impact of Eto’o in the first half, and continued his exceptional run of form.

Andreolli – 5.5: Looked a little nervous on the big stage at times against his former club. His failure to clear a Maicon cross led to the Eto’o goal, early in the second half.

Riise – 6: Had a glorious effort from a free kick on 37 minutes, which he narrowly missed. Could have applied more pressure on Eto’o for his goal, and similar to Motta, he was forced to sit back more often than not, as he struggled against Maicon.

Brighi – 6: Solid showing from the midfielder, however with exception to a chance midway through the second half that won a corner for his side, his impact was minimal on the night.

Pizarro – 6: A little clumsy at times, and a fairly quiet showing by the Chilean, who failed to step up after De Rossi was forced from the field.

De Rossi – 6.5: The captain was the rock early on for his side, however he was forced from the field with an injury to his cheekbone, after a clash with Vieira on 34 minutes.

Perrotta – 6.5: A typical Perrotta performance, as he looked threatening in attack at times, and tracked back well.

Menez – 6.5: Lively as always, however his lack of experience against a very talented Inter back four was clear evident on a number of occasions. Sacrificed by Ranieri in the latter stages for Tonetto.

Vucinic – 7: Squandered a glorious one on one opportunity on just three minutes, however he made amends by scoring the opener 10 minutes later with a wonderful header. Forced from the field with injury midway though the second half.

Substitutes

Faty – 6.5: Brought on for De Rossi in the latter stages of the first half. Imposed himself physically, and had a massive chance to put his side ahead 10 minutes from time.

Okaka – 6: Involved in a glorious one-two with Menez just moments after coming on, but his effort flew inches over the bar.

Tonetto – 6: Brought on to add some defensive cover late on.

Adrian Del Monte, Goal.com