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Roma threw away a 2-0 lead in 60 seconds, but Daniele De Rossi's fierce penalty saw off Genoa 3-2 to pile pressure on Inter.
This was a tough week for the Giallorossi, who were held 1-1 at Cagliari and then defeated 2-0 at home by Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-final. Inter were still only four points away, but Francesco Totti, Alberto Aquilani, Matteo Ferrari and the suspended David Pizarro were sidelined. Meanwhile, Genoa had won two on the trot and had Capocannoniere Marco Borriello on fine form.
The Grifone's last Serie A victory here was 1-0 in January 1990, although they hadn't visited at all since 1994.
In the opening 50 seconds Mirko Vucinic turned on to the side-netting, then Daniele De Rossi fired a free kick inches over the bar. Rodrigo Taddei should have scored when he came charging in to meet a Ludovic Giuly pass, but blasted over from nine yards.
Taddei did open the scoring soon after. Max Tonetto got away down the left for a sweeping cross and although the Brazilian's first scuffed attempt was charged down, it fell back on to his foot and he could score from five yards.
Roma doubled their tally with an absolutely sensational strike four minutes later. Vucinic took his seasonal tally to five goals by flicking up a De Rossi pass with his back to goal, turning the defender and smashing a left-foot volley that dipped mercilessly into the far top corner! The finish from almost 20 metres was spectacular, especially as it was his weaker foot.
Alexandre Doni was at full stretch to pluck a Marco Borriello snapshot out of the air and Ivan Juric drilled wide, so Genoa were fighting back after that dreadful start. Danilo was stretchered off with a shin problem and made way for Julio Cesar Leon.
Giuseppe Sculli was allowed a free header from a corner kick that went wide, while Borriello nutmegged Philippe Mexes to test Doni. The Rossoblu were pouring forward towards the break and Marco Rossi wanted a penalty, but Christian Panucci seemed to get the ball.
Genoa continued to take control in the second half, as Doni smothered a Domenico Criscito daisy-cutter from 35 metres.
The visitors deservedly got back into it on 58 minutes. It was not entirely dissimilar to Taddei's first half goal. Fabiano cut back for Borriello, whose shot was parried by Doni into the path of the on-rushing Rossi.
Incredibly the game was completely turned around less than 60 seconds later! Roma were in shock as substitute Leon exchanged passes with Borriello and unleashed a precise rocket from the D to flash into the bottom far corner of the net.
There was also bad news for De Rossi, as he reached 13 bookings for the season. That means from now on he'll be suspended at every single yellow card rather than waiting for two.
Rubinho did well to smother the ball at Vucinic's feet and then beat away a fierce De Rossi attempt. The Genoa goalkeeper also had to backtrack quickly to fingertip a long Cicinho free kick out from under the crossbar. From the resulting corner there was a goalline clearance on Vucinic and Taddei was brought down by Borriello in a clumsy sliding tackle. To make matters worse, Borriello was booked and will miss next week's game with Torino.
De Rossi took over penalty taking duties and buried a powerful finish under the bar. His celebrations were ecstatic as he ran around the arena kissing his Roma jersey. Meanwhile, a nervous Totti in the stands shielded his eyes during the spot-kick.
The tension got to Gian Piero Gasperini, as the Genoa Coach was sent off in stoppages for dissent.
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