Gian Piero Gasperini insisted his Roma team will take confidence from their 2-2 draw with Serie A champions Inter, despite letting a two-goal lead slip at Stadio Olimpico. 

In the battle between the two teams with 100% records in the division, Roma found themselves in a commanding position heading into the break after Manu Kone's double. 

However, Inter hit back through Lautaro Martinez 51 seconds into the second period, and the Nerazzurri captain scored the equaliser with 11 minutes of normal time remaining. 

Inter had their chances throughout the contest, with Alessandro Bastoni rattling the woodwork while Marcus Thuram's backheel drifted just wide of Mile Svilar's near post. 

The result saw Roma and Inter draw a game in Serie A for the first time since January 2021, leaving the two teams neck and neck heading into the extended international break. 

But speaking after the game, Gasperini was keen to focus on the positives. For the first time since the 2014-15 season, when they recorded five wins, Roma have gone unbeaten in their opening five league matches of the season.

In addition, for the first time in their history, Roma have scored at least two goals in 10 consecutive Serie A matches, leaving Gasperini optimistic about what lies ahead for his team. 

"I think we played on level terms, both teams could've won at different points," Gasperini told DAZN Italia, as quoted by Football Italia. 

"Scoring the goal straight after the restart was an energy booster for a great Inter team, they can always score goals, but we had our chances too.

"This match must give us confidence going forward."

Gasperini had been reluctant to say that Roma were in a title race this season, but he added that their showing here is evidence that they can compete with the best in Serie A. 

"Everyone has a margin for improvement," Gasperini added. "We should be happy with our progress and the quality we put into these matches, not just fitness and enthusiasm. 

"There is a lot of positivity on this side, and we should continue along this path."

Roma had not led by at least two goals against Inter in Serie A since the 3-1 win at the San Siro in February 2017, and they looked fatigued towards the end of the match.

Only Cagliari (two) have conceded fewer goals in the league this season than Roma (three), but two of those have come early in the second half of those matches. 

"It's probably not a coincidence, because the way we conceded was too superficial and even presumptuous," Gasperini said.

"We were in control and could've been damaging in the second half too.

"Having said that, even with a few players struggling, Roma still tried to win and had an incredible chance for 3-1 with Malen firing it into the goalkeeper's face.

"We never held back against a strong opponent, both in technical and physical terms."