New Delhi: An amazing match at the Stadio Olimpico was decided by a late goal by Mirko Vucinic.
Pre-Match News
Coach Luciano Spalletti had to deal with several injuries, so he deployed Cicinho in midfield as Alberto Aquilani, Matteo Brighi, and Rodrigo Taddei were all missing. Meanwhile, Artur got a chance in goal as first-choice goalkeeper Doni could not play.
Cagliari boss Massimiliano Allegri had nearly a full line-up to choose from, but top-scorer Robert Acquafresca started on the bench as he was still struggling with a niggling injury that has limited his time on the pitch that last few matches.
First Half
The Giallorossi started by applying plenty of pressure and Marco Cassetti had the first real chance on five minutes as he collected Francesco Totti's through-ball and fired high from outside the area.
Totti was soon involved again, when his backheel released Simone Perrotta, but the cut-back was not accurate enough for Julio Baptista and the chance went begging. It was all Roma in the early going, as Perrotta's snapshot flew over.
Roma came very close on 17 minutues. Mirko Vucinic cut inside from the left and his curling effort hit the far post with the keeper beaten!
Cagliari finally carved out a chance after 20 minutes, but after some good build up play Daniele Conti's effort was off the mark from the D and Andrea Cossu had a similar effort a couple minutes later.
Daniele Conti was shown a yellow for hacking down Totti in centre midfield.
Roma continued to pile on the pressure as Totti and Vucinic played a great one-two, but Vucinic could not control and prodded the ball wide. Then a Mexes long-ball put Vucinic one-on-one with Marchetti, but he fired wide with defenders closing in when he should have done much better.
Finally, Roma's pressure paid off and they took the lead late in the first half.
The captian found space outside the box and released a low left-foot shot that found the bottom corner as Roma now had something to show for all their dominance.
Just before half Cicinho could have amde it 2-0, Roma broke on the coutner-attack in numbers, but Marchetti made a good save on Cicnho's low-drive. From the ensuing corner Baptista heased the ball in the net, but there was a foul on the play and the goal was disallowed.
Thus, Roma went into half-time up 1-0,but truthfully it could have been mush worse for Cagliari as they were clearly second-best in the first half.
Second Half
Seeing his team were struggling so much in the first half, Allegri threw on Acquafresca in the hopes he could add some punch to the offense. The home side replaced Juan with Christian Panucci.
Cagliari started with much more vigour than they showed in the first half and shockingly tied up the match with a fantastic goal! A free-kick was rolled across for Conti, who lashed it into the top corner for his third goal in the season.
The Sardinian side then could have grabbed the lead, as Jeda poked the ball over the diving Artur, but wide of the net!
Totti tried to hit back with a long range effort, but his daisy-cutter was wide of the mark. Last weekend, Jeremy Menez was the hero for Roma and he came on for the ineffective Julio Baptista.
Againt the run of play Cagliari took the lead! Jeda redirected Andrea Cossu's pass from the top of the box to make it 2-1 for the visitors with 70 minutes gone!
However, Roma got back into the match very quickly with Perrotta's equalizer. A scramble in the box saw the ball bounce to the Italian international, who performed a bicycle kick to tie up the match!
Spalletti wanted the win though and his last substitution was veteran forward Vincenzo Montella for Cicinho.
Totti then tried an audacious chip from the side of the box, but it hit the crossbar and bounced out, robbing the Roma captain of what would have been a late and fantastic goal.
Spurred on by the crowd Roma, almost took the lead when Perrotta volleyed wide from the edge of the area. It was inches away from the former Chievo man.
This match was indeed a great one in every way as Roma won it in the 89th minute through Vucinic, who ahd been wasteful all day, but slammed the ball in the net for a last-gasp winner!
Caglairi tried to grab a goal using long-ball tactics with what little injury time was left, but despite their good performance it was not their day as Roma claimed victory in one of the best matches of the Serie A season so far.
Roma 3-2 Cagliari
Goals: 38' Totti (R), 58' Conti (C), 69' Jeda (C), 77' Perrotta (R), 89' Vucinic
Yellow Cards: 30' Conti (C), 47' Biondini (C)
Roma: Artur - Cassetti, Mexes, Juan (45' Panucci), Riise - Perrotta, De Rossi, Baptista (64' Menez), Cicinho (78' Montella) - Totti, Vucinic
Cagliari: Marchetti - Pisano, Lopez, Canini, Agostini - Conti, Fini, Biondini, Cossu (78' Lazzari) - Jeda (85' Parola), Larrivey (45' Acquafresca)
More from Goal.comPlayer Ratings: Juventus 4-2 AC MilanChristmas shopping: Who should Milan buy?Comment: When will Kolkata fans behave?
Comments
0 comment