Inter, which hadn’t conceded a goal in their previous two matches, seemed on course for victory when two goals in as many minutes from Francesco Acerbi and Lautaro Martinez gave them a 2-0 lead after 13 minutes.

But Riccardo Orsolini pulled one back for Bologna from the penalty spot six minutes later and Joshua Zirkzee levelled early in the second half.

Inter can be overtaken at the top by AC Milan, which are a point behind their city rival and visit promoted Genoa later. Juventus can also trim the gap when they host Torino later in a derby match.

Bologna, which haven’t lost since the opening day of the season, remained seven points below Inter.

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi had opted not to rotate his squad following Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League.

Inter took the lead in the 11th minute when Acerbi headed in a Hakan Calhanoglu corner at the near post. It was the first goal Bologna had conceded in more than a month.

And the Nerazzurri doubled their advantage just two minutes later with a stunning goal. Martinez received the ball from Marcus Thuram and unleashed an absolute rocket into the back of the net.

It was Martinez’s 10th Serie A goal of the season.

However, the Argentine World Cup winner allowed Bologna to get back into the match in the 19th minute when he hauled down Lewis Ferguson in the area. Orsolini struck the resulting penalty into the bottom corner.

That was important psychologically for Bologna, so soon after going 2-0 down, and they eventually scored the equaliser seven minutes into the second half.

Zirkzee controlled the ball on the edge of the area and turned as he waited to see what the Inter defense would do before firing into the bottom corner.

Alexis Sanchez thought he had restored Inter’s lead but it was ruled out for offside.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

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