Coppa Italia: Roma eases past Catania, Roma-Inter for the 4th consecutive time

By: Francesco | May 8th, 2008

Perrotta celebrates with Aquilani after the young midfield converted a penalty kick.

Roma-Catania was a match where both teams came in focused on other objectives. Roma, of course, are still alive in the battle with Inter for the Scudetto, while Catania are in relegation trouble and are focused on saving themselves from the inferno of Serie B. Roma came into the game leading 1-0 on aggregate and I don’t think many bet on Catania to win this match, but the fans still packed the Stadio Massimino to see the Elephants of Sicily take on the Giallorossi.

To read the Roma-Catania liveblog, go here.

Spalletti gave some room to subs, with Curci getting a look in goal, Antunes getting a start at left-back, Brighi partnering De Rossi in midfield, Aquilani in back of Vucinic, and Giuly on the right wing. The game was very relaxed, as both sides really didn’t create much, except for when Roma attacked down the flanks through Cicinho and Antunes (who I have to say was very impressive. This kid has a hell of a left foot and with some more experience can potentially become Roma’s version of Roberto Carlos [although the good Roberto Carlos of years past, not the little old Brazilian we see running around in Turkey at the moment]). Walter Zenga gave some room to subs as well, as Bizzarri took the place of Polito in goal, Baiocco was on the bench in favor of Biagianti, and Brazilian Ignacio Pia started up front.

In the 27th minute, Vucinic was clearly tripped in the box by Silvestri, and referee Morganti pointed in the spot. It was a clear penalty. Alberto Aquilani stepped up and slotted the ball home into the lower right corner. Two minutes later Catania drew level. A Giuseppe Mascara free kick was whipped in from the right, and Silvestri was given a clear header and he scored to make up for his error. Catania still needed another 2 goals to qualify.

Giuly almost scored a wonder goal before half-time after Vucinic crossed from the left, but his first time volley whizzed past the net. The second half was really drab, both teams basically resigned and it wasn’t interesting at all. Antunes blasted a rocket over the bar and Perrotta hit the crossbar. Esposito came in and looked like a Serie D player. He really looked like he had no confidence at all.

The game came to a close and Roma will now play in the final vs Inter in front of their home crowd at the Stadio Olimpico and try to be repeat Coppa Italia champions.

Also, now Sampdoria and Udinese are rejoicing because they now both qualify automatically for the UEFA Cup since the UEFA spot goes to the 7th place team in the table.

I think I’ll now go write a letter to the Lega Calcio telling them to invent a new format for next season where Roma and Inter cannot meet in the final. Seriously, a little variation would be nice next season.

Catania 1-1 Roma (1-2 on agg)

Scorers: Aquilani pen 27 (R), Silvestri 29 (C)

Catania: Bizzarri; Silvestri, Silvestre, Sottil, Alvarez; Izco, Edusei, Biagianti (Baiocco 56); Colucci (Gazzola 60), Mascara, Pià (Iannelli 85)

Roma: Curci; Cicinho, Cassetti, Panucci, Antunes; Brighi, De Rossi (Mancini 79), Giuly (Esposito 64), Aquilani, Perrotta (Tonetto 76); Vucinic

Ref: Morganti