New Delhi: An extremely free-flowing match ended in favour of the hosts, as the capital club made up ground in the Champions League race by defeating a hard working ten-man Lecce side by a score of 3-2.
Luciano Spalletti was suspended and in the stands, but still had a whole host of absences to contend with. Defenders Christian Panucci, Philippe Mexes, and Juan were unavailable, so John Arne Riise partnered Souleymane Diamoutene in central defense. Meanwhile, the inexperienced Artur replaced Doni in goal.
Relegation-threatened Lecce had to do without the suspended Guillermo Giacomazzi and Giuseppe Vives and coach Luigi De Canio dropped veteran striker Jose Castillo to the bench.
First Half
Roma looked incredible hungry and had the first opportunity just a minute in. Daniele De Rossi hit a screamer from 25 years, but Francesco Benussi just managed to push out it of the top corner.
It was a sign of things to come, as Benussi made an identical save on Julio Baptista's free-kick, but Franceso Totti was on hand to tuck away the rebound after just three minutes.
Unfortunately, Lecce creative force Fabio Caserta tweaked something trying a shot on goal and had to be substituted early on for Dimitrios Papadopoulos.
I Lupi doubled their lead ten minutes later. Marco Mott whipped in the cross from the right and Benussi hesitated, allowing Matteo Brighi to tap-in the ball from close range.
Baptista tried to add to the lead with a dipping long range effort as the home side was controlling proceeding at the Stadio Olimpico.
On 31 minutes, Gianni Munari pulled on back for Lecce. The player headed just wide, before getting a chance immediately after to tuck the loose ball in under Artur.
Despite a couple of half-chances for both teams, neither could add to their tally before the half-time whistle.
Second Half
Roma came out of the tunnel looking to regain their two goal cushion, but good chances by Brighi and Totti were both blocked within five minutes of the restart. 'Er Pupone' was intricately involved in the attacks, playing some fine through balls.
However, an errant pass from Totti sparked a counter-attack for Lecce and Papadopulos, who had done very little since coming on, completed the move with a fine finish to level the scores on 55 minutes. It was a deserved equalizer as the Salentini had been fighting hard since going down 2-0.
It did not last long though, as Baptista was brought down in the area after a series of dummies and Totti lashed an unstoppable spot-kick into the net for his tenth of the season.
Andrea Zanchetta tried to equalize from a free-kick, but Artur did well to get a hand to the set-piece. Axel Cedric Konan, who has just been subbed in, almost grabbed a goal with his first touch, collecting a long-ball, but slipping at the crucial moment.
Lecce's task became more difficult on 72 minutes as Luca Ariatti lunged in on David Pizarro, resulting in a straight red card.
The Giallorossi were in control with the numerical advantage and Totti's brilliant backheel found Tonetto, who opted to shoot into side netting rather than square the ball for the waiting attackers.
One last chance from Lecce took a deflection that nearly wrong footed Artur, but it only ended up as a corner. Thus, I Lupi picked up a valuable three points to keep them in the Champions League hunt and the Salentini moved a step closer to relegation.
Roma 3-2 Lecce
Goals: 3' Totti (R), 13' Brighi (R), 31' Munari (L), 55' Papadopoulos (L), 59' pk Totti (R)
Sent-Off: 72' Ariatti (L)
Roma (4-2-3-1): Artur - Motta, Diamoutene, Riise, Tonetto - De Rossi, Pizarro - Perrotta, Brighi, Baptista (83' Cassetti) - Totti (90' Montella)
Lecce (4-4-1-1): Benussi - Poleghni, Fabiano, Esposito, Giuliatto - Munari, Edinho (70' Konan), Zanchetta - Caserta (8' Papadopoulos) - Tiribocchi (73' Ardito)
More on Goal.com
Comment: Can Barca prevent another all-English Champions League final?I-League: Team of the week - Round 22Player ratings: Manchester United 0-0 Everton
Comments
0 comment