Francesco Totti’s screamer has given Roma a slender 1-0 first leg lead over Catania in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
Both tacticians made minimal changes to their line-ups for this competition and it was Catania boss Walter Zenga’s first ever Coppa Italia tie. He made tactical adjustments, though, with Jorge Martinez more advanced and Giuseppe Mascara wide midfield.
Cicinho had the first chance when cutting in from the right to blast a left-foot strike just over, while at the other end Giacomo Tedesco was so close to a wonder goal as his lob was inches off target with Gianluca Curci caught off his line.
Ludovic Giuly was sent clear by Mauro Esposito’s pass, but his weak finish from a very promising position allowed Ciro Polito to parry. The goalkeeper had a far tougher task before half-time when Cicinho combined with Totti’s backheel for an angled drive at the near post.
The deadlock was eventually broken 30 seconds after the restart. Totti gathered from Amantino Mancini, surged forward and unleashed an unstoppable right-foot rocket from 25 metres that cannoned into the roof of the net. Polito had no chance, as the Roma captain put real power behind it.
It was so nearly 2-0 on 54 minutes when Totti threaded through for Mancini to spring the offside trap, but Polito was at full stretch to get a fingertip to his lob. The Olimpico crowd, who are not happy at the on-going contract saga, jeered the Brazilian.
A loose ball fell to Giuly on the edge of the area and his right-foot snapshot skimmed the near post, while David Pizarro side-footed the ball straight at Polito after some fine Totti build-up play.
Polito did brilliantly to deny Roma a second, as Totti dribbled past defenders and brought a great save out of the goalkeeper, who also rushed out to smother the loose ball from a follow-up. In stoppages the Catania squad twice scrambled to charge down dangerous chances from Totti and Simone Perrotta.
This result leaves it all open for the second leg at the Stadio Massimino on May 7, as Roma aim to defend their title.
Roma 1-0 Catania
Scorers: Totti 46 (R)
Roma: Curci; Cicinho, Mexes, Panucci, Antunes (Tonetto 82); Brighi, Perrotta; Esposito (Pizarro 60), Giuly (Vucinic 76), Mancini; Totti
Catania: Polito; Silvestri, Stovini, Silvestre, Alvarez (Sabato 82); Gazzola (Izco 46), Edusei, Tedesco, Mascara; Martinez, Spinesi (Morimoto 71)
Ref: Ayroldi
