Resurgent Roma rise to second
Saturday, January 22, 2011
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Goals by Francesco Totti, Simone Perrotta and Jérémy Menez against Cagliari Calcio lifted AS Roma up to second place in Serie A after US Città di Palermo and Parma FC also won at home.
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AS Roma rose to second place in Serie A after a Francesco Totti penalty and second-half strikes by Simone Perrotta and Jérémy Menez gave the Giallorossi a 3-0 victory against Cagliari Calcio.
The penalty was awarded (21) after Daniele De Rossi was fouled by Michele Canini and Totti, three of whose previous four goals this season have come from spot kicks, made no mistake. Perrotta doubled the lead (70) when Michael Agazzi spilled Juan's header into his path and substitute Menez completed the scoring in style (90) after sidestepping the goalkeeper. Roma move to within three points of leaders AC Milan, who host AC Cesena on Sunday evening.
US Città di Palermo moved level on points with sixth-placed Juventus thanks to a 1-0 win against Brescia Calcio. Though the Rosanero dominated throughout, Michele Arcari proved unbeatable in the Brescia goal until Cesare Bovo (86) curled a free-kick past him late on.
Diego Simeone's first match in charge as Calcio Catania ended in a 2-0 defeat at Parma FC. Antonio Candreva's close-range effort (56) and Sebastian Giovinco's free-kick (62) – his fourth goal in as many matches - lifted the Ducali to 11th place, three points above Catania.