Roma hit back in Italian Cup against Triestina

January 13, 2010

AS Roma bounced back from conceding a shock early goal against Serie B strugglers Triestina to win 3-1 on Tuesday and qualify for the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Roma, who will play Genoa or Catania next, joined Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the last eight after Jose Mourinho’s team beat Livorno 1-0 in December.

Triestina were ahead after just five minutes as Luigi Della Rocca converted a penalty after he himself had been fouled by Marco Cassetti.

A shock was on the cards against a weakened Roma, for whom coach Claudio Ranieri rested the likes of centre-back Juan, striker Luca Toni and midfield dynamo Daniele De Rossi.

But Roma drew level on the stroke of halftime as Matteo Brighi shot home following a rebound.

Montenegro forward Mirko Vucini gave the hosts the lead on the hour after he was set up by French winger Jeremy Menez.

And 10 minutes from time Brazilian flop Julio Baptista sealed the victory direct from a free-kick.

In Wednesday’s matches Juventus host Napoli in the tie of the round while third division Novara travel to the San Siro to tackle mighty AC Milan.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, catania, Claudio Ranieri, coach claudio, coppa italia roma, de rossi, dynamo, genoa, italian cup, Jeremy Menez, Jose, jose mourinho, julio baptista, livorno, Luigi Della Rocca, marco cassetti, matteo brighi, Milan, Mirko, Montenegro, napoli, quarter finals, ROME, San, san siro, Toni, win 3, winger

Vucinic not planning a move, says agent

June 30, 2009

Rome based Italian giants AS Roma’s Mirko Vucinic is happy at Stadio Olimpico, according to the player’s agent .

The Montenegrin forward, who was Roma’s second top-scorer last season with 11 goals, had been linked with Premier League champions United and Spurs this summer.

“There are interests, especially from Premier League clubs, but no one has officially contacted me,” Vucinic’s agent Alessandro Lucci told romanews.eu.

The 25-year-old last month extended his contract with the Eternal City outfit until June 2013.

“Mirko is very happy to remain at Roma,” said Lucci.

“He recently renewed his contract. He is happy, the club is satisfied and hence, there are no reasons to consider Vucinic away from Roma.”

“The club has never told me anything regarding any offers, but they did tell me they want to keep all the important players and Vucinic is one of them.”

Written by: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: Alessandro, Alessandro Lucci, English Premier League, Eternal City, giants, league champions, Mirko, Mirko Vucinic, montenegrin, planning a move, premier league clubs, Roma, ROME, Serie A

Arsenal defeat Roma on penalties in Champions League

March 12, 2009

ROME (AFP) – AS Roma’s Max Tonetto skied his penalty miles over the bar to hand Arsenal a place in the Champions League quarter-finals following a tense match that went to the spot-kick lottery on Wednesday.

Arsenal won the shoot-out 7-6 thanks to Tonetto’s sudden death miss after Eduardo and Mirko Vucinic had seen their earlier efforts saved by goalkeepers Doni and Manuel Almunia respectively.

It means all four English teams made it through to the last eight with Italy’s three representatives all bowing out — it is the first time in seven years no Italian team has made it through to the quarters.

The game ended 1-0 to the hosts after 90 minutes, matching the score the Gunners had won by in London two weeks ago.

With a first leg deficit to overcome Roma needed all the help they could get but while talisman Francesco Totti was passed fit, France centre-back Philippe Mexes was ruled out with the flu.

It meant that Malian Souleymane Diamoutene — a transfer window signing from Lecce — came into the side to make his Champions League debut.

Things looked desperate after just five minutes as Roma’s other first choice centre-back Juan walked off the pitch with a hamstring problem.

However the Roma physios patched him up and sent him back on a couple of minutes later and with good reason as it was the Brazilian who slotted in the opener.

Roma opened up Arsenal’s right side with some slick passing on nine minutes allowing Totti to cross into the box.

The ball passed between William Gallas and Emmanuel Eboue and was missed by Rodrigo Taddei but Juan, who had stayed up a long time following a corner, was free at the back post to control the ball and slide it under Almunia.

Roma twice went close to a second on 23 minutes as Marco Motta broke into the box. Almunia saved his near post effort but Motta kept the ball alive and it came out to Taddei whose shot Almunia tipped around the post.

However Juan couldn’t continue much longer and Roma were forced into a defensive rejig with John Arne Riise moving into the centre and Julio Baptista coming on in midfield.

Arsenal were creating only half chances and Abou Diaby headed the best straight into Doni’s arms from a Samir Nasri cross.

On the stroke of half-time Roma were screaming for a penalty as Motta went down in the box with Gael Clichy chasing him but the referee rightly ignored the appeals.

Roma’s makeshift defence was looking vulnerable and on 58 minutes a terrible Riise mistake on the halfway line let Eboue run away down the right but the Ivory Coast international failed to pick out Nicklas Bendtner.

The game was on a knife edge and both sides seemed unwilling to commit too much in attack although Diaby did create some space before firing wide.

With 11 minutes left Roma opened Arsenal up at the back as the ball was switched quickly from Taddei to Totti to Baptista but the Brazilian, playing against his former club, slipped with the goal at his mercy and failed to trouble Almunia.

Arsenal had two good late chances but Robin van Persie’s shot was deflected wide and Kolo Toure headed over from close range.

The extra 30 minutes failed to produce any clear cut chances and so the game headed to the spot-kick lottery.

And Tonetto’s woeful effort sealed Roma’s fate.

Written by: AFP

Tags: Baptista, Clichy, couple of minutes, doni, Eduardo, emmanuel eboue, English Premier League, France, france centre, francesco totti, goalkeepers, gunners, italian team, Italy, Ivory Coast, john arne, john arne riise, Juan, julio baptista, league debut, london, Manuel Almunia, Marco Motta, Max Tonetto, Mirko, Mirko Vucinic, motta, Nicklas Bendtner, philippe mexes, quarter finals, rejig, robin van persie, rodrigo taddei, Roma, ROME, s max, Samir Nasri, Serie A, shoot out, UEFA Champions League, William Gallas

Inter click into gear ahead of United trip

March 8, 2009

TURIN, Italy (AFP) – Inter Milan clicked ominously into gear ahead of their Champions League trip to Manchester United on Tuesday with an impressive 2-0 victory at Genoa on Saturday.

Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Blotelli sent Jose Mourinho’s team 10 points clear at the top of Serie A but perhaps more impressive was the manner of this victory.

Inter played like a Mourinho team, full of power, commitment, organisation and a little swagger too.

They got off to a wonderful start with Dejan Stankovic playing in Ibrahimovic in the second minute and the big Sweden forward holding off two challenges before chipping Genoa goalkeeper Rubinho.

Genoa had a real go at Inter in the first 45 minutes and Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar twice had to save the champions with excellent saves from Thiago Motta and Giuseppe Biava.

Any chance the hosts had of getting back into this game ended just past the hour mark as teenage forward Balotelli added the second, although there was a doubt as to whether or not the ball actually crossed the line.

The only negative for Mourinho was injuries to two centre-backs as both Marco Materazzi and Nicolas Burdisso left the game during the first period.

That and United’s even more impressive showing in beating Fulham in the FA Cup will be Mourinho’d two main worries ahead of Wednesday.

Earlier in the day 10-man AS Roma missed the chance to move into the top four as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Udinese.

They are now level on 45 points with Genoa but crucially one point behind fourth-placed Fiorentina, who host Palermo on Sunday.

In many ways Roma were lucky to escape with a point after Udinese were denied a blatant first half penalty while the hosts had to survive the last quarter of the game with a numerical disadvantage following the dismissal of Daniele De Rossi.

Brazilian Felipe had given Udinese the lead nine minutes into the second period but substitute Mirko Vucinic rescued a point for Roma just past the hour mark.

The capital-based team possibly had one eye on next week’s Champions League second leg clash against Arsenal — in which they trail 1-0 from the first leg in London — because they failed play with any spark throughout a largely dull match.

The most controversial moment of the game came right at the end of the first half as Switzerland midfielder Gokhan Inler burst into the Roma box only for France defender Philippe Mexes to clearly handle the ball.

It was an offence seen by everyone except somehow not the referee.

Justice seemed to be served on 54 minutes when Antonio Di Natale crossed for the unmarked Felipe to score easily with a header at the back post after a period of Udinese domination.

But Roma coach Luciano Spalletti threw Vucinic into the fray and he ran unchallenged across the Udinese box before shooting home right-footed to restore parity.

De Rossi then got his marching orders somewhat harshly after arguing with the referee.

Written by: AFP

Tags: Antonio Di Natale, daniele de rossi, FA Cup, Felipe, fiorentina, first period, France, fulham, genoa, Giuseppe Biava, inter milan, Italy, jose mourinho, julio cesar, last quarter, london, luciano spalletti, Manchester, manchester united, marco materazzi, Mario Blotelli, Milan, Mirko, Mirko Vucinic, nicolas burdisso, Palermo, philippe mexes, Roma, second period, Serie A, swagger, Sweden, Switzerland, Thiago Motta, turin, turin italy, zlatan ibrahimovic

Beckham and Kaka on Milan goal trail

January 25, 2009

ROME (AFP) – David Beckham struck his first goal in Italian football on Sunday while Kaka put the Manchester City transfer saga behind him with a brace as AC Milan romped to a 4-1 victory at Bologna.

The win moved Milan to within three points of top spot ahead of champions Inter Milan’s visit of Sampdoria in the day’s late game.

It was Kaka’s first match since his proposed world record switch to City collapsed on Monday and he responded with a calmly taken penalty and a rocket with his left foot to ensure Milan continued their title charge.

Kaka’s contribution deflected somewhat from Beckham’s first goal for Milan since joining on loan from the LA Galaxy earlier this month. The former England skipper found the net with his team’s fourth goal on the hour mark.

"It was a truly special goal, just as it is special for me to be playing here," said Beckham.

"The important thing was to win so now we are even more confident ahead of Wednesday’s game (against Genoa)."

It was a perfect way for Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to celebrate 400 games in charge of the club.

"I’m happy to have celebrated 400 games on the bench in red-and-black with such a great victory," he said.

"Right now we’re playing with great effectiveness because we’re making the most of Kaka and Pato’s pace."

Ancelotti has left Ronaldinho on the bench in the last couple of matches, to good effect with Clarence Seedorf playing behind the front two.

"Seedorf gives us more cover (than Ronaldinho) but we haven’t forgotten when the Brazilian was playing well over the first half of the season," added the coach.

Bologna had the first chance of the game as they opened up Milan’s left side but Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati was equal to Sergio Volpi’s fierce strike.

Milan hit back and sweet passing between Kaka and Pato set up Seedorf, who fired just over the bar.

Bologna took the lead on nine minutes after Christian Amoroso strode into area and was sandwiched by Paolo Maldini and Philippe Senderos. Marco Di Vaio converted from the spot for his 15th league goal of the season.

But just four minutes later Bologna lost the ball in midfield and Kaka hit a shot from distance that Francesco Antonioli couldn’t hold, allowing veteran Dutch midfielder Seedorf to prod home the rebound.

The third goal in the 17th minute came following a controversial penalty awarded to Milan.

Davide Bombardini took the ball off Gianluca Zambrotta as he went into area but the full-back tripped over and the referee pointed to the spot, with Kaka converting.

Any hopes Bologna had of getting back into the game ended five minutes before the break when Gaby Mudingaye was sent off following a second booking.

Just three minutes later Kaka fired home a wonderful left-footed shot to ensure the game was over before the pause.

Beckham then smashed home a fierce right-footer at Antonioli’s near post on the hour after a pass from Seedorf.

Bologna weren’t totally buried, though, and Di Vaio twice brought out great saves by Abbiati.

The other big winners of the day were AS Roma who closed to within three points of fourth, the final Champions League qualifying position, with a stunning 3-0 win at Napoli.

Centre-backs Philippe Mexes and Juan gave Roma a two-goal advantage at the break and Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic added the third just after the restart.

It means Roma are fifth and only three points behind Genoa, who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by Catania.

Roma have won eight of their last 10 Serie A matches as they recovered from a disastrous start to the season where they won only two and lost six of their first 10 games.

Written by: AFP

Tags: ac milan, amoroso, Bologna, carlo ancelotti, catania, christian abbiati, Christian Amoroso, clarence seedorf, David Beckham, England, england skipper, first chance, Francesco Antonioli, inter milan, italian football, kaka, la galaxy, left foot, manchester city, Marco Di Vaio, Milan, Mirko, napoli, paolo maldini, pato, philippe mexes, philippe senderos, record switch, ronaldinho, Sergio Volpi, Serie A

Spalletti bouyant ahead of Sampdoria clash

January 14, 2009

ROME (AFP) – AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is feeling positive ahead of his team’s clash at home to Sampdoria on Wednesday.

Roma will move up to eighth in the Serie A table if they win this match at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, which was postponed back in October due to a waterlogged pitch.

The capital based team have finished second in each of the last three seasons but their title aspirations were over just 10 matches into this campaign after they won just two of those, losing six including their first five away games.

That left them hovering just above the relegation zone but they then embarked on a five-match winning run that propelled them back into Champions League contention.

Three points against their Genovese visitors will leave them just six points off fourth-placed Napoli in the final Champions League qualifying position.

And following their pulsating 2-2 draw at home to AC Milan on Sunday night, Spalletti believes his team have left their early season troubles firmly behind them.

"That was a great match and we did what we needed to do. We could have won at the end, as could have Milan," he said.

"I think the supporters appreciated the attitude of our players. We did take some risks and left too many spaces at the back.

"But after a difficult period the team has proved they know how to play football while we’ve got some important players back from injury too."

Club captain Francesco Totti is not yet among those although he did start running again on Monday following a muscular problem picked up against Catania on December 21, the last league match before the three-week winter break in Italy.

But in Totti’s place Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic has been intermittently brilliant and scored twice in the Milan game.

"Vucinic can play on his own up front but also just behind the striker," said Spalletti. "He’s a player I like very much.

"He did very well for his second goal (against Milan), pulling away to the left and finding the right position."

Sampdoria, led by former Roma forward Antonio Cassano, have likewise had a difficult beginning to their campaign despite qualifying for the UEFA Cup last season.

However, victory would put them back in European contention as it would move them to just one point behind Roma and pull them away from the bottom three.

They currently sit in 14th position, five points above the drop zone and 12 points off the European qualification places.

Written by: AFP

Tags: ac milan, AFP, Antonio, captain Francesco Totti, catania, club captain, contention, difficult period, final champions league, football, francesco totti, Italy, luciano spalletti, Milan, Mirko, Montenegro, muscular problem, napoli, player, quot, relegation zone, right position, Roma, ROME, Serie A, serie a table, six points, stadio olimpico, three seasons, title aspirations, vucinic, winter break

Vucinic denies Beckham winning debut as Pato shines

January 11, 2009

ROME (AFP) – Brazilian teenager Pato and Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic stole the limelight as David Beckham made his Serie A debut in AC Milan’s 2-2 draw at AS Roma’s Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

Pato scored an early second half brace following Vucinic’s first half opener for the hosts but the Montenegran had the last word with a timely equaliser to deny Beckham a winning start to life in Italy.

Milan stay third, nine points off top, while Roma remain in the bottom half of the table.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti sprung a surprise by selecting Beckham in his starting line-up.

The former England captain took a little time to settle before gradually coming into the game and becoming increasingly involved.

His first opportunity to shine could have come on five minutes after Milan won a free-kick in a dangerous position but Ronaldinho pulled rank and crashed his effort into the wall.

Thereafter Beckham showed his full range of abilities, playing one raking ball down the line to Kaka while showing his defensive skills in making a brilliant sprawling block on a John Arne Riise shot.

He also sent many dangerous crosses in from the right.

Roma were battling to get back into Champions League contention after a torrid start to their season and on 22 minutes Vucinic broke the deadlock, latching onto a cross from Riise, turning Marek Jankulovski far too easily on the edge of the six-yard box and slotting home past Christian Abbiati.

In the first minute of the second half Roma captain Daniele De Rossi made space just outside the box but shot well over.

And just two minutes later the hosts were made to pay as Philippe Mexes was pulled out of position and Kaka crossed for Pato to tap home from two yards out.

And Pato scored an equisite second on 53 minutes as Ronaldinho released him down the left before the teenager outstripped Mexes and then chipped Doni.

However, Roma hit back 19 minutes from time as Vucinic bagged his second with a diving header after Matteo Brighi’s shot was deflected into his path.

Beckham, obviously tiring, was substituted two minutes from time.

Earlier in the day Alessandro Del Piero scored a stunning free-kick to hand second-placed Juventus a 1-0 home win over Siena and close the gap at the top behind Inter to four points.

Inter had left the door open with a surprise 1-1 home draw against Cagliari on Saturday night and Del Piero’s sixth goal of the season direct from a free-kick allowed the Old Lady of Turin to take full advantage.

Juve coach Claudio Ranieri admitted his side were lucky to win and paid tribute to his veteran forward.

"Siena didn’t deserve to lose but we are lucky to have our captain Del Piero who once again scored a stunning free-kick," he said.

"But we still have a lot of work to do, we are not and we will not be the same team as in 2008."

Despite his advancing years, the 34-year-old Del Piero seems to be getting better and better.

This was his seventh league goal of the season and 12th in all competitions, but most remarkable has been his free-kick record.

Previous successful dead-ball strikes helped Juve beat Real Madrid home and away in the Champions League while another downed Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 in Turin.

And in the league he has been equally deadly, previously hitting the back of the net against Palermo and Chievo.

His 33rd minute strike was the only noteworthy moment in the first half, though, after fellow veteran Pavel Nedved was brought down by his Czech countryman Lukas Jarolim.

After the restart Brazilian forward Amauri should have doubled the lead with a header while Del Piero sent a shot into the side-netting.

Frenchman Abdelkader Gezzal had two late chances for Siena but was denied first by former Siena goalkeeper Alex Manninger and then by a flailing defender’s body.

In other games 10-man Fiorentina missed the chance to go third as they fell 2-1 at home to lowly Lecce, who climbed out of the relegation zone.

Lazio stayed in Champions League contention as Macedonia forward Goran Pandev scored a hat-trick — his first league goals since October — in a thrilling 3-2 win at Reggina.

Written by: AFP