Nerazzurri defeated in Rome (Roma 4 - Inter 1)
ROME - Sunday evening's Serie A Week 24 clash between Roma and Inter at the Olimpico finished 4-1 in favour of the Giallorossi.
Roma had the first of three goals disallowed on 5 minutes with Emerson in an offside position when he netted from a Cassano pass. Minutes later Adriano controlled Helveg 's centre from the right then saw his low, diagonal shot come back off the far post.
After two more goals ruled out, it was fourth time lucky for the Giallorossi on the stroke of half time when Cassano shielded Totti's weighted pass from two Nerazzurri then demonstrated technique with a cool finish to the right of Toldo.
A subdued Inter suffered from Roma's midfield superiority in the early stages of the restart and Brazilian winger Mancini increased Roma's lead in the 58th minute when he found space in the Inter box after turning Adani then sent a left-foot shot past Toldo before Cordoba could make a challenge.
Zaccheroni brought on Martins for Adriano then Karagounis for Kily Gonzalez, and both substitutes breathed life into the Nerazzurri's game. The Greek international went close to a spectacular first goal for Inter, sending his ferocious long-distance strike inches wide of the right post, then Martins' shot from inside the area took a deflection and fell to the feet of Vieri, who smashed home at the far post to give Zaccheroni's side a lifeline.
The home side soaked up fifteen minutes of black and blue pressure then won a penalty kick with three minutes left on the clock. Ivan Cordoba was sent marching for a last-man foul on Cassano, and Giallorossi captain Totti stepped up to send his spot kick to the right of Toldo.
With the result already safe, Mancini added his second in the third minute of added time, a tap-in at the far post after Cassano had dribbled Helveg on the left before crossing.
The Nerazzurri play away to Benfica on Thursday in the first leg of the Uefa Cup fourth round.
Match facts:
Scorers: Cassano 45', Mancini 63', 90'+3', Vieri 73', Totti (pen) 89'
Booked: Helveg 31', Adani 42', Farinos 58', C.Zanetti 61', Vieri 44', Emerson 90'+2'
Sent-off: Cordoba 87'
Referee: Roberto Rosetti
ROMA: 22 Pelizzoli, 2 Panucci, 5 Zebina, 8 Lima, 10 Totti, 11 Emerson, 15 Dacourt (17 Tommasi 76'), 18 Cassano, 19 Samuel, 30 Mancini, 32 Candela
Subs not used: 12, Zotti, 21 D'Agostino, 23 Carew, 24 Delvecchio, 27 De Rossi, 31 Dellas
Coach: Fabio Capello
INTER: 1 Toldo , 2 Cordoba , 4 J. Zanetti , 6 C.Zanetti , 10 Adriano (30 Martins 59'), 13 Helveg , 14, Farinos (7 van der Meyde 83'), 15 Adani , 17 Cannavaro , 18 Kily Gonzalez (19 Karagounis 67'), 32 Vieri
Subs not used: 71 Cordaz , 8 Lamouchi , 9 Cruz , 26 Pasquale
Coach: Alberto Zaccheroni
source: inter.it
