Roma captain Francesco Totti has backed coach Claudio Ranieri's criticism of Inter Milan's robust tactics for Sunday's 1-1 draw.

Ranieri called Inter a pack of "bullies" and raised the fact Patrick Vieira wasn't even booked when his elbow fractured Daniele De Rossi's cheekbone.

"Seeing the game again, there have been several quite tough fouls. But this is part of football," Totti told Sky Sport 24.

"We know that when we play against the big teams anything can happen, like conceding a lot of fouls."

Reflecting on the title race, Totti said: "I always thought it would open up again despite yesterday's result.

"Inter remain the strongest team in Serie A but there are still too many games to play to say that the Nerazzurri have already won the Scudetto.

"We have stopped one of the contenders for the Scudetto and are happy for the performance also because Inter are a team that has temperament and strength as well as technique."