1-0 is not enough
In spite of the 1-0 victory at the Olimpico, with a penalty converted by Mutu, Capello’s side cannot qualify for Coppa Italia semi-finals, while Roma do thanks to last week’s 3-2 victory at the Delle Alpi.
It’s a very tense match. Roma attack after about fifteen minutes into the first half, first with Totti who puts the ball in but the goal is null due to a foul on Balzaretti (13’) and later with Cufré, whose shot is saved by Abbiati. The goalkeeper is engaged in a more difficult save on 17’ minutes: on a free kick, Dacourt passes to Totti and the Bianconeri goalkeeper clears the Giallorossi captain’s attempt for a corner. On 18’ minutes, referee Dondarini warns Nedved for a foul on Totti. That triggers off some fuss on the pitch and causes Ibrahimovic and Dacourt to be sent off. With 10 players for both sides, the pace is still high and two more yellow cards are given, to Vieira and Perrotta. After 27 minutes, Taddei serves for De Rossi on the right but his header ends out. Juventus build up in the final minutes of the first half. On 40’ minutes, Mutu’s free kick is out. On 44’ minutes, Zebina gets injured and makes way for Zambrotta. The best occasion for Capello’s side takes place one minute later: following Mutu’s free kick, Zalayeta deflects a header but the goalkeeper sends it high over the crossbar. During the injury time, a great Mutu’s kick is saved by Curci.
After ending the first half in a crescendo, Juventus get back on the pitch determined to win the game and get dangerous after the first minute when Zalayeta gets past two opponents up front but he’s anticipated in the corner. On 3’ minutes, Capello’s side takes the lead thanks to a penalty converted by Mutu and decided by the referee after Perrotta’s handling (0-1). Meanwhile, the Bianconeri coach makes use of the two substitutions still at disposal: Del Piero replaces Zalayeta and Emerson takes the place of Giannichedda. On 23’ minutes, Mutu passes the ball to Zambrotta in the box but the latter’s attempt on goal is cleared for a corner by a defender. Perrotta replies on 26’ minutes with a finish ending out while on 30’ it’s Totti’s turn, Abbiati saves. A great occasion for the Bianconeri occurs on 34’ minutes when Vieira hits the post with a powerful shot from a short range. In the final minutes, Juventus are up front in search of the goal that would allow them to pass to next round. Viera’s final attempt from outside the penalty area ends high over the bar.
ROMA-JUVENTUS 0-1
GOALS: 3’sh Mutu (pen.)
ROMA: Curci, Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Cufré, De Rossi, Dacourt, Taddei (29’sh Tommasi), Perrotta, Mancini, Totti. Coach: Spalletti. Substitutes: Doni, Bovo, Alvarez, Rosi, Greco, Okaka.
JUVENTUS: Abbiati, Zebina (44’fh Zambrotta), Thuram, Cannavaro, Balzaretti, Nedved, Giannichedda (15’sh Emerson), Vieira, Mutu, Zalayeta (8’sh Del Piero), Ibrahimovic. Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Buffon, Pessotto, Blasi, Olivera.
REFEREE: Dondarini
YELLOW CARDS: 18’fh Nedved, 29’fh Vieira, 39’fh Perrotta, 4’ sh Thuram, 19’sh Taddei, 43’sh Cannavaro
SENT OFF: 18’fh Ibrahimovic, 18’fh Dacourt
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