Great Serie A Games: Roma-Juve 2003/2004

By: Francesco | October 22nd, 2009

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The Great Serie A Game posts continue with Roma-Juve 2003/2004. The 2003/2004 season was an interesting one. Milan, fresh from a Champions League victory and with some new young Brazilian player named Kaka, were dominating Serie A. While Marcello Lippi’s Juve looked to be favorites to combat the Rossoneri to the Scudetto, it was not the case. Instead, Fabio Capello’s Roma were breathing down Milan’s necks all the way until the end. Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano had formed a special partnership, where everything they touched turned to gold. Ivan Pelizzoli in net looked to be the next Buffon, some unknown Brazilian named Amantino Mancini started to shine, and they played smart, organized, fun football. Lippi’s Juve on the other hand struggled to perform. Even with the additions of players like Fabrizio Miccoli and Nicola Legrottaglie and the dynamic duo of Del Piero and Trezeguet up front, the Bianconeri just weren’t the same Juve, and Lippi couldn’t seem to work his magic anymore. Juve wound up finishing a disappointing 4th place, and Lippi left the Juve bench to take over the National Team (and he was replaced by Capello). Game Story and video after the jump.

Basically this is one of the more entertaining Serie A games of recent years. Two master managers of the Italian game, Capello and Lippi, face off, and Capello gets the better of the Lippi. Totti was in fine form on the day, and was all over the pitch. Roma struck early with a shot from Olivier Dacourt, and went into the half 1-0. In the second, Cassano wins a penalty and Totti converts for the 2-0 lead. Cassano scores another and makes it 3-0. Juve get a penalty and Trezeguet tries to convert, but Pelizzoli keeps the clean the sheet. Roma kill off the Bianconeri with another Cassano goal, who goes and kicks the corner flag, which became his trademark celebration. This game is also famous for Totti’s hand gesture (pictured above) towards Igor Tudor in the dying minutes of the game. Tudor was complaining about something to the referee and Totti told him to be quiet, as Roma was winning 4-0, waving 4 fingers in his face.

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