Irresistible Roma rattle Juve
Sunday, February 8, 2004
Article summary
AS Roma reaffirmed their Serie A title ambitions with a thrilling 4-0 defeat of Juventus FC on Sunday night.
Article body
Montero dismissed
Olivier Dacourt's opener came on the 13-minute mark but Roma did not double their lead until Antonio Cassano had been upended in the box by Paolo Montero eight minutes into the second half. Francesco Totti calmly converted the spot-kick before being brought down himself three minutes later. Montero was once again the guilty party and referee Pierluigi Collina had no choice but to dismiss the Uruguayan.
Cassano double
With 20 minutes left, Roma made it 3-0 when Cassano found the net but the visitors, who had not lost 4-0 in Serie A since 12 March 1989, had a chance to salvage something when Cristian Chivu fouled Alessio Tacchinardi to gift them a penalty of their own. However David Trezeguet fired the 74th-minute spot-kick straight at goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli and Cassano then completed a great night for Roma with an 85th-minute header.
Seven straight
Despite the victory, Roma remain five points behind leaders AC Milan, who extended their winning run to seven games with a 2-1 triumph against AC Perugia earlier on Sunday. Milan had to wait until the 74th minute before finding the net thanks to a free-kick from Rui Costa.
Pirlo penalty
Milan doubled their lead when Andrea Pirlo converted a penalty but suffered a nervous last six minutes once the visitors had converted a spot-kick of their own through Salvatore Fresi and Giuseppe Pancaro had been sent off.
Inter held
Fourth-placed FC Internazionale fell further adrift when they drew 2-2 with Sampdoria UC, despite twice taking the lead through Christian Vieri. Cristiano Doni's 85th-minute penalty gave the home side a share of the spoils.
Lopez on target
The meeting between Parma AC and S.S. Lazio ended in a 3-0 away win, with Claudio López twice on target. Udinese Calcio remain seventh despite their 3-1 defeat at home against Bologna FC on Saturday.
Ancona agony
At the foot of the table, Ancona Calcio are still searching for their first win after being edged out by the odd goal in three against Modena FC. Elsewhere, struggling Empoli FC strengthened their bid for survival with a 1-0 win against AC Siena while Reggina Calcio and Brescia Calcio played out a goalless draw.
