6 March 2006, by Sean Gillen

Figo comes off bench to save Inter

Roma 1-1 Inter

Luis Figo came off the bench to set up a last minute equaliser for Inter as they denied Roma a 12th consecutive victory.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini had left the Portuguese winger on the bench in favour of Kily Gonzalez but admitted his mistake when he introduced Figo for the Argentine in the 35th minute.

Alvaro Recoba went close for Inter in the first few minutes when his low shot was saved by Doni but Roma had the better of the early exchanges.

A free-kick from Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei took a slight touch off Mancini but Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo produced a fine reaction save.

Roma took the lead in the 9th minute when winger Mancini beat Marco Materazzi and pulled the ball back across the goal for Taddei to score from 5 metres.

Inter saw plenty of possession but rarely threatened the Roma goal and Figo was introduced to provide some much needed inspiration in the final third.

The visitors had few chances in the second half with Dejan Stankovic shooting over from long-range and Obafemi Martins’ header cleared off the Roma goaline by the impressive Daniele De Rossi.

Mancini blazed over when well placed for Roma and Simone Perrotta failed to take advantage when put through on goal as Roma failed to get the all important second goal.

Roma would regret those missed chances as, in the last minute, Figo’s pinpoint corner found the unmarked Materazzi and the defender powered his header past Doni.

Inter fall further behind leaders Juventus and city rivals Milan and must now fight to keep hold of their Champions League spot under pressure from Roma and Fiorentina.


Roma:
Doni, Cufre, Mexes, Chivu, Panucci, Dacourt, Perotta (Tommasi, 90), De Rossi, Taddei (Reyes, 90), Rosi (Kharja, 74), Mancini
Yellow Cards: Dacourt, (78), Taddei (85)

Inter:
Toldo, Burdisso, Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi, Cambiasso, Pizarro (Cesar, 76), Stankovic, Kily Gonzalez (Figo, 35), Recoba, Cruz (Martins, 64)
Yellow Cards: Zanetti (37), Materazzi (65)

Goals:
[1-0] Taddei, 9
[1-1] Materazzi, 89