Roma Put Pressure On Inter With Routine Victory

With captain Francesco Totti having to forfait this match due to the flu, Roma were under pressure to keep their Scudetto challenge alive with a victory at home against Catania.

Things started in the best possible way, as they opened the score after just 8 minutes. Rodrigo Taddei struck a precise low shot from outside the area which hit the post, but Ludovic Giuly was on hand to tap the ball in from close range.

Roma continued to attack after the opening goal, and in the 12th minute Mirko Vucinic had a decent opportunity with a header from a difficult position on a cross by Cicinho, but he sent the ball over the bar.

Around the 20th minute mark, the Giallorossi created a series of good opportunities. In the 19th minute, Amantino Mancini worked his way inside the area with the Catania defence looking on, but was thwarted by goalkeeper Ciro Polito with the collaboration of Davide Baiocco.

A minute later, Giuly found himself in a good position again as the Catania backline was all sixes and sevens, but his overhead kick went over the bar with Polito in a poor position.

In the 21st minute, Vucinic had another opportunity with a nice turn and shot, failing to hit the target with his attempt.

The visitors made themselves dangerous for the first time in the 26th minute, when Doni had to come up with a good save to keep out a header by Christian Terlizzi on a corner kick.

However, on the next move Roma came desperately close to doubling the score, as Mancini was found alone in front of Polito on a counterattack, but instead of side-footing the ball past the goalkeeper he tried a lob which didn't fool the Catania number one (27').

In the last quarter of an hour of the first half, Roma slowed down a little and failed to create any more chances, while Catania were relieved to let the first half end with Roma only a goal to the good.

Roma started the second half in determined mood to try and seal the victory. They wasted another good chance in the 49th minute, when Mancini was found in a good position after a good move by Vucinic, but he scooped his shot over the bar.

Ten minutes into the restart, the home side had a glorious opportunity to double the score. Taddei dribbled his way past Terlizzi inside the area, and was tripped by the Italian defender, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

Daniele De Rossi stepped up to take the penalty and did so brilliantly, blasting the ball through the middle and just under the crossbar (55').

Catania were hit hard by this second goal and never really found a way back into the match.

In the 63rd minute, Giuly made a good run towards the area and tried a shot, coming close to his second goal but Polito managed to save it with his feet.

Four minutes later, Giuseppe Mascara, Catania's most dangerous player, found himself in a good position to shoot but once again he failed to hit the target (67').

Catania seemed to accept the defeat in the final 20 minutes, while Roma didn't seem too adamant to score a third goal.

Nevertheless, there were a couple more chances for the home side. In he 83rd minute, Mancini hit a sudden and powerful shot from the edge of the area, which had to be tipped over the bar by Polito.

In injury time, substitute Mauro Esposito found space for a shot from the edge of the penalty area, and fired a dangerous shot which flew narrowly past the post (92').

After this relatively easy victory, Roma move within four points of leaders Inter, who host Parma tonight, while Catania are 12th with 22 points.

Danilo Pochini


MATCH STATS

Roma – Catania 2-0

GOALSCORERS: 8’ Giuly, 56’ De Rossi (pen.)

Roma (4-3-3): Doni; Cassetti, Ferrari, Mexes, Cicinho; De Rossi, Pizarro, Taddei (67’ Aquilani); Mancini (87’ Esposito), Vucinic, Giuly (76’ Antunes). Available: Curci, Unal, Brighi, Della Penna. Coach: Spalletti.

Catania (4-3-3): Polito; Sardo, Silvestri, Terlizzi, Vargas; Biagianti (62’ Tedesco), Izco (62’ Edusei), Baiocco; Martinez (55’ Spinesi), Mascara, Colucci. Available: Bizzarri, Gazzola, Millesi, Llama. Coach: Baldini.

Referee: Orsato.

Booked: Mexes (R), De Rossi (R), Terlizzi (C), Sardo (C), Baiocco (C), Giuly (R), Mascara (C)