Roma lifted the Italian Cup for the eighth time despite losing
2-1 to Inter Milan in the second leg of the final at the San Siro
on Thursday.
Roma claimed the trophy thanks to their impressive 6-2 first leg
win over the Serie A champions last week, which gave them a 7-4
aggregate victory.
It was the first time Roma have won the trophy since the 1990-91
season and made up for the two defeats inflicted upon them by Inter
in the past two finals.
Goals from Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz early in the second half
gave Inter hope, before the hosts had Colombian defender Ivan
Cordoba sent off for two yellow cards in the 72nd minute.
Simone Perrota pulled one back for the visitors to kill off the
tie before Roma defender Christian Panucci was dismissed for a
professional foul.
Four other players were also cautioned, while Inter coach
Roberto Mancini was banished to the stands for arguing with the
referee.
Roma captain Francesco Totti was delighted to finally get his
hands on the cup after losing the final to Inter for the past two
seasons.
"We've had to watch Inter take the cup for the last two years,
so it's nice to win it at last," he said.
"Let's hope this is just the start and that we go on to win more
trophies.
"We have grown as a team this season and this could prove to be
an important stepping stone."
Inter coach Roberto Mancini complimented his team for their
refusal to give up the fight.
"They were extraordinary. We went 2-0 up and I really felt we
were going to do it. Then Cordoba got sent off and it was always
going to be difficult after that."
Inter came close to a goal in the third minute when Dejan
Stankovic's delicate chip clipped the top of the crossbar.
The Serbian midfielder then flashed a volley narrowly wide three
minutes later as Inter applied all the early pressure.
Inter suffered a blow in the 25th minute when midfielder Patrick
Vieira limped off with a right leg injury after a collision with
Roma's Rodrigo Taddei, Cruz coming on for the Frenchman.
Roma's first effort on target almost produced a goal as Totti's
swerving free-kick was clawed away by Francesco Toldo.
Cruz had the ball in the net with the last kick of the first
half, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Maicon crossed from the right and Crespo's flicked header
flashed past Doni's outstretched hand.
Faint hope turned into genuine belief for Inter when Cruz netted
a second goal six minutes later, the Argentinian slotting the ball
through Doni's legs after being put through by Luis Figo.
Cordoba effectively ended Inter's chances of a comeback when he
went for an early bath, but Perrotta made sure by diverting Totti's
cross past Toldo.
Toldo tipped Totti's shot onto bar in the last minute before
Panucci received his marching orders.
(China Daily via AFP May 19, 2007)