Thursday 8 May, 2008

Holders Roma have set up a fourth consecutive Coppa Italia Final against Inter after a 2-1 aggregate win over Catania.

Roma led 1-0 from the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico and were confident of progressing to their fourth consecutive Final.

But Catania fans packed into the Massimino believing in an upset from their relegation-threatened side.

The hosts fought back well from an early set-back but didn't create enough to truly make the capital club sweat in a lively, if not spectacular encounter.

The first chance of the evening went to the visitors when Portuguese wing-back Vitorio Antunes crossed for Simone Perrotta, but the British-born midfielder's effort only forced a routine save from goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri.

The hosts were tentatively trying to find an opening but Roma opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Mirko Vucinic weaved past two men in the box and was the first to react when his cross was blocked, provoking a trip from defender Cristian Silvestri.

Alberto Aquilani stepped up to cooly wrong-foot Bizzarri and put Roma 1-0 up on the night and 2-0 ahead on aggregate.

Catania were in trouble, but they found the perfect repost.

Silvestri made amends for his error for the penalty when he blasted home from Giuseppe Mascara's cross to put the Elefanti back in the tie.

The crowd erupted to life and their voices were raised in protest a minute later when Roma 'keeper Gianluca Curci felled Marco Biagianti outside the box but referee Emidio Morganti waved play on.

And Roma nearly landed a sucker punch in the 42nd minute when Vucinic crossed to the back post for a Ludovic Giuly volley, which whistled over the bar.

Mascara was left kicking himself on the stroke of half-time when he blasted well wide from a promising position.

Aquilani let fly at the start of the second period to force a diving save from Bizzarri, but moments later Mascara's long-range effort flashed wide of Curci's post.

Perrotta nearly killed the tie when he connected with Cicinho's cross to strike the woodwork in the 57th minute.

And Catania seemed to run out of steam somewhat and Roma looked increasingly comfortable to hold them at arm's length.

Inacio Pià earned a free-kick right on the edge of the box when Marco Cassetti chopped him down, but Mascara fluffed the set-piece opportunity.

Antunes went close with an effort from distance, but few Roma players were giving more than 50 per cent.

An onrushing Bizzarri saved well with his feet to deny Vucinic in the final minute of stoppage time.

The embers of Catania's Cup dream were slowly extinguished as both sides saved their energies for their pressing League engagements this weekend.

Catania 1-1 Roma (1-2 on agg)
Scorers: Aquilani pen 27 (R), Silvestri 29 (C)
Catania: Bizzarri; Silvestri, Silvestre, Sottil, Alvarez; Izco, Edusei, Biagianti (Baiocco 56); Colucci (Gazzola 60), Mascara, Pià (Iannelli 85)
Roma: Curci; Cicinho, Cassetti, Panucci, Antunes; Brighi, De Rossi (Mancini 79), Giuly (Esposito 64), Aquilani, Perrotta (Tonetto 76); Vucinic
Ref: Morganti