Martinez strikes twice as Inter deny Roma

ROME: Lautaro Martinez scored twice as Inter Milan fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Roma on Saturday.

The Serie A champions mounted a second-half comeback in the top-two clash in the Italian capital.

Roma had taken a 2-0 half-time lead through Manu Kone's double, but Cristian Chivu's side responded after the break to earn a point.

"There is a lot of positivity in this side, both teams could've won it," said Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

"I think we played on level terms... This match must give us confidence going forward."

Before kick-off, both teams paid tribute to former Inter Milan and Italy playmaker Sandro Mazzola, whose death at the age of 83 was announced earlier in the day.

The Inter players also wore black armbands.

Elsewhere, Lazio joined Roma and Inter on 13 points with a 2-0 victory over bottom-placed Venezia.

A 51st-minute penalty from Mattia Zaccagni and a goal from Tijjani Noslin on the hour mark secured a fourth win in five matches for Gennaro Gattuso's team.

Meanwhile, Cagliari moved up to 12 points after winning 1-0 at Udinese, while Bologna and Torino drew 1-1.