With their focus on the Serie A title race, both Inter Milan and AS Roma fielded largely reserve squads for last night's Coppa Italia semifinals. At the Stadio Olimpico, a young Roma side relied on the experience of talisman Francesco Totti to lead it past Catania Calcio, 1-0. After a tepid first half, Totti took the game by the scruff its neck early in the second. As his defender backed off him, the Roma captain collected a pass from Mancini, turned and fired home an unstoppable swerving blast barely two minutes after the break. From there, Roma dominated, with Totti pulling the strings, as Mancini, Ludovic Giuly, Mirko Vucinic and Totti all came close to increasing the lead. In the end, Roma could not score again, and will head to Sicily for the second leg with a slim advantage.
Over in Milan, Lazio fielded its strongest side and managed to come away from the San Siro with a point. Inter rested several starters, but Hernan Crespo and David Suazo were the only strikers available due to various injuries and suspensions. They combined for the clearest chance of the match when Crespo's effort was saved before defender Nicolas Burdisso hit the bar. This was Inter's only real chance, as Lazio generally had the better of play. The Rome club will head home for the second leg tied 0-0.
No comments yet.
