Adriano punishes profligate Roma

By Paolo Menicucci

FC Internazionale Milano have one hand on the Coppa Italia after two first-half goals from Brazilian striker Adriano gave the Nerazzurri a 2-0 win in the final first leg at AS Roma.

Unstoppable drive
After absorbing early pressure, the visitors broke the deadlock on 30 minutes when Adriano collected the ball 30 metres from goal and unleashed an unstoppable drive past Gianluca Curci. Six minutes later the Brazilian doubled the lead, heading in Zé Maria's free-kick to put Inter on course for their first trophy since 1998.

Cassano chance
The goals came against the run of play, the home side having dominated the opening stages. Francesco Toldo was forced into his first save with less than a minute on the clock when Antonio Cassano played a one-two with Francesco Totti, but with only the goalkeeper to beat, the striker's shot cannoned off Toldo's legs and narrowly wide.

Defensive uncertainty
Cassano showed more poise on six minutes with a superb volley from Totti's cross that beat the goalkeeper but came back off the upright. With the Inter defence increasingly unsteady, Giuseppe Favalli almost headed an own goal on ten minutes but was fortunate to see the ball drop just wide of the post.

Disallowed goal
Sinisa Mihajlovic and Cristian Chivu then struck excellent free-kicks at either end before Adriano's quick double. Bruno Conti brought on Roma's own leading scorer Vincenzo Montella just before the hour and the Italy forward thought he had reduced the deficit on 69 minutes only for his celebrations to be cut short by the linesman's flag.

Return leg
The chance reinvigorated Roma, but Cassano and Montella both failed to make the most of opportunities as Inter held on to take a 2-0 advantage into the return leg at the Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday.