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Roma Edge Catania In Seven Goal Thriller
Christian Panucci spared Roma's blushes against Catania as his last-gasp winner settled an entertaining dog fight at the Olimpico...
Roma 4-3 Catania
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £32.00 | Draw £32.00 | Roma £22.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £33.00 | Draw £31.00 | Roma £23.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £32.00 | Draw £31.00 | Roma £22.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £31.00 | Draw £32.50 | Roma £23.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £29.00 | Draw £31.00 | Roma £23.00 |
|
May 16, 2009 7:53:33 PM
Roma's hopes of Europa League football next season have been boosted after Luciano Spalletti's men narrowly beat Catania. Simone Perrotta gave his side the lead before Giacomo Tedesco replied. Mirko Vucinic restored the lead and Perrotta seemed to have made the points safe just before half time. However, the home side stepped off the gas in the second half and the Rossoazzurri took full advantage from Giuseppe Mascara, and then Takayuki Morimoto made it 3-3. However, unlikely hero Panucci rescued maximum points and spared red faces with an injury time winner...
First Half
Roma got the game started and flew out of the starting blocks as they tried to take an early lead. Good link up play between David Pizarro and John Arne Riise opened up Catania's defence, but the Norwegian wasted his chance to fire his side ahead, failing to capitalise. The home side's intent was clear for all to see. Francesco Totti underlined his Europa League objective earlier in the week, and he was in form as always. The captain saw Riise out on the left flank and played a great through ball to him. Mirko Vucinic made the angled run into the box, but the stopper fired towards goal instead of picking out his man.
Catania were slow off the blocks, but with relegation safety in the bag, and Europe no longer possible, the Sicilians had nothing to play for. They pressed Roma well though, and they were tight early on. Morimoto should have done better when Giuseppe Mascara crossed the ball towards him, but his effort was straight at Artur.
The Giallorossi enjoyed the lions share of possession and they made in count on 13 minutes when Simone Perrotta gave them the lead. The midfielder finished off a lung-bursting run with a great header after Vucinic supplied the cross. Their lead didn't last long though as Catania were back in the game two minutes later. A great dummy from Morimoto saw Giacomo Tedesco all unmarked on the left. The Catania ace calmly lifted his effort over Artur to give his side hope.
The Giallorossi didn't stand for it though, and they were back in the lead before Catania had finished celebrating their goal. Perrotta had paid back Vucinic with a great assist over the Sicilian defence. The Montenegrin controlled with his right, and finished superbly with his right to score his 16 of the season in all competitions. Roma continued to attack their opponents as Spalletti demanded more going forward, however it was the Rossoazzurri who should have scored when Tedesco had another great chance. However, Artur made a superb double save.
Catania were punished for not taking their chances as Perrotta grabbed his second of the game when a Riise Cross was dealt with poorly by Lorenzo Stovini. The ball bounced kindly for the midfielder who smashed his effort low into the bottom corner, albeit via a wicked deflection from Capuano.
Second Half
Walter Zenga's half time talk must have worked as the away side came out with hunger and determination. Tedesco won a free kick on the edge of the box after Casetti left his foot out. The referee agreed with the Catania player's demise. Mascara, who had been quiet all game reignited Sicilian hopes of a point as his powerful free kick flew past the wall and into the top corner via Artur's outstretched arm. The goalkeeper saw it late and he couldn't get enough to keep it out.
The away side continued to believe. Martinez should have equalised when Tedesco found him with a sublime ball from the left. The Italian invited his team-mate to score, but he failed to take advantage after trying to guide his header towards the back stick, but it was too powerful as Roma defenders looked relieved to see it go over. Riise responded for Roma by going on one of his trademark runs and unleashing a powerful drive from range, the finish had the power, but lacked accuracy as it flew wide of the far post.
Artur was in fine form once again and he was called upon when Llama struck from distance, Riise was guilty of stepping off his man, and it allowed the number 11 the extra yard to aim and shoot. It was a brilliantly hit effort which swerved and dipped as it headed towards goal, but the 'Keeper was there to get his fingers behind it to tip it over the bar.
Catania's persistence paid off when Morimoto beat Roma's lazy offside trap attempt. The Japanese forward timed his run to perfection, beating Panucci and Mexes to the ball. All that stood in his way was Artur, and he beat the Brazilian with a left foot drive to make it 3-3. Panucci then won the game and points with an injury time header just when Catania thought they had earned a point.
Teams
Roma 4-3-1-2: Artur, Casetti, Panucci, Mexes, Riise, Brighi(Taddei), De Rossi, Perrotta(Montella), Pizarro, Vucinic(Menez), Totti.
Catania 3-4-1-2: Kosicky, Silvestre, Terlizzi(Silvestri), Stovini(Llama), Silvestri, Sciacca(Izco) Tedesco, Capuano, Mascara, Morimoto, Martinez.
Goals: Perrotta 13' & 31', Tedesco 15', Vucinic 17', Mascara 47', Morimoto 74', Panucci 92'
Cards: Silvestre
First Half
Roma got the game started and flew out of the starting blocks as they tried to take an early lead. Good link up play between David Pizarro and John Arne Riise opened up Catania's defence, but the Norwegian wasted his chance to fire his side ahead, failing to capitalise. The home side's intent was clear for all to see. Francesco Totti underlined his Europa League objective earlier in the week, and he was in form as always. The captain saw Riise out on the left flank and played a great through ball to him. Mirko Vucinic made the angled run into the box, but the stopper fired towards goal instead of picking out his man.
Catania were slow off the blocks, but with relegation safety in the bag, and Europe no longer possible, the Sicilians had nothing to play for. They pressed Roma well though, and they were tight early on. Morimoto should have done better when Giuseppe Mascara crossed the ball towards him, but his effort was straight at Artur.
The Giallorossi enjoyed the lions share of possession and they made in count on 13 minutes when Simone Perrotta gave them the lead. The midfielder finished off a lung-bursting run with a great header after Vucinic supplied the cross. Their lead didn't last long though as Catania were back in the game two minutes later. A great dummy from Morimoto saw Giacomo Tedesco all unmarked on the left. The Catania ace calmly lifted his effort over Artur to give his side hope.
The Giallorossi didn't stand for it though, and they were back in the lead before Catania had finished celebrating their goal. Perrotta had paid back Vucinic with a great assist over the Sicilian defence. The Montenegrin controlled with his right, and finished superbly with his right to score his 16 of the season in all competitions. Roma continued to attack their opponents as Spalletti demanded more going forward, however it was the Rossoazzurri who should have scored when Tedesco had another great chance. However, Artur made a superb double save.
Catania were punished for not taking their chances as Perrotta grabbed his second of the game when a Riise Cross was dealt with poorly by Lorenzo Stovini. The ball bounced kindly for the midfielder who smashed his effort low into the bottom corner, albeit via a wicked deflection from Capuano.
Second Half
Walter Zenga's half time talk must have worked as the away side came out with hunger and determination. Tedesco won a free kick on the edge of the box after Casetti left his foot out. The referee agreed with the Catania player's demise. Mascara, who had been quiet all game reignited Sicilian hopes of a point as his powerful free kick flew past the wall and into the top corner via Artur's outstretched arm. The goalkeeper saw it late and he couldn't get enough to keep it out.
The away side continued to believe. Martinez should have equalised when Tedesco found him with a sublime ball from the left. The Italian invited his team-mate to score, but he failed to take advantage after trying to guide his header towards the back stick, but it was too powerful as Roma defenders looked relieved to see it go over. Riise responded for Roma by going on one of his trademark runs and unleashing a powerful drive from range, the finish had the power, but lacked accuracy as it flew wide of the far post.
Artur was in fine form once again and he was called upon when Llama struck from distance, Riise was guilty of stepping off his man, and it allowed the number 11 the extra yard to aim and shoot. It was a brilliantly hit effort which swerved and dipped as it headed towards goal, but the 'Keeper was there to get his fingers behind it to tip it over the bar.
Catania's persistence paid off when Morimoto beat Roma's lazy offside trap attempt. The Japanese forward timed his run to perfection, beating Panucci and Mexes to the ball. All that stood in his way was Artur, and he beat the Brazilian with a left foot drive to make it 3-3. Panucci then won the game and points with an injury time header just when Catania thought they had earned a point.
Teams
Roma 4-3-1-2: Artur, Casetti, Panucci, Mexes, Riise, Brighi(Taddei), De Rossi, Perrotta(Montella), Pizarro, Vucinic(Menez), Totti.
Catania 3-4-1-2: Kosicky, Silvestre, Terlizzi(Silvestri), Stovini(Llama), Silvestri, Sciacca(Izco) Tedesco, Capuano, Mascara, Morimoto, Martinez.
Goals: Perrotta 13' & 31', Tedesco 15', Vucinic 17', Mascara 47', Morimoto 74', Panucci 92'
Cards: Silvestre
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