Inter 0-0 Roma: Title rivals play out stalemate after worrying Stekelenburg injury

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Then less than five minutes later Roma were dealt another blow, with Maarten Stekelenburg being knocked unconscious following a nasty collision with Lucio.

The Brazilian had been played through on goal and as both men raced towards the ball, the centre-back accidentally struck the Dutchman's head with his right boot.

They were worrying scenes for the away side as they watched their new goalkeeper carried off on a stretcher to be replaced by Bogdan Labont.

Half time came with the score still tied at 0-0 and the main talking point being Stekelenburg’s game-ending injury.

The second half started brightly for Roma with Francesco Totti’s neat through ball finding Osvaldo behind the Inter defence, only for Julio Cesar to deny the former Espanyol striker again.

Then minutes later Diego Milito almost opened the scoring with a diving header following a Wesley Sneijder free-kick, unfortunately for the Argentine he dragged his effort wide of the post.

The two sides were starting to get forward more often as the last 20 minutes approached, but it was Inter who looked the more likely to score with both Mauro Zarate, who had earlier replaced Milito, and Sneijder going close with long range efforts.

It was Diego Forlan though who went closest to opening the scoring when his curling effort from the edge of the box went just past the far post in the 76th minute.

With five minutes to go the Nerazzurri again went close with Sneijder having his effort cleared off the line by debutant Simon Kjaer.

When the final whistle was blown, both sides were still without their first wins of the season and will be hoping for better luck in next week's fixtures. Roma host Siena with Inter travelling to Novara in round three of Serie A.