Roma coach De Rossi defends Lukaku after Inter Milan defeat

Roma coach Daniele De Rossi accepts defeat to Inter Milan was fair.

However, De Rossi insists they ran the Nerazzurri close.

“We need to play football and there are many positive responses from this game, but also responses that show we can never lower our intensity if we want to fight it out with these great opponents," De Rossi told DAZN.

“I think the game was substantially very even, there were moments where either team had the upper hand. I am proud of the lads, they gave their all and the crowd realised it too. When they recognise you put the effort in, they let you know, they don't do it as a favour.

“I am also not saying I am proud of these lads because they are underdogs or anything. I am proud because they put in a great performance against a very strong team. I believe we are on the right track.

“It's too easy to look only at the negative incidents and blame a single player. Incidents change a game, but we win them together and we lose them together.

“All 11 players and myself too lowered the level of intensity in the second half and were made to pay for it. We did it too against Verona and Salernitana, but won anyway because we have a superior squad to them. We cannot afford to do it against Inter.

“I didn't like the blame game that the media plays when I was a player and I like it even less now as a coach. If Roma played so well, it was down to everyone and if we lost, it means we were all below Inter's level – but not by much."