AS Roma 2 - 1 Inter ; Inter lose again to throw race open

• Poignant

  28 Mar 10, 02:56

  Full report to follow soon..

• Poignant

  28 Mar 10, 06:18

  Roma beat leaders Inter to keep Serie A title race wide open

  var clickExpire = "-1";

  

  
  

  Roma blew the Italian title race wide open with a 2-1 victory at home to Inter Milan on Saturday that saw Claudio Ranieri's team close to within a point of the four-time defending champions.

  The capital club moved above AC Milan into second place after riding their luck against Inter, who hit the woodwork three times.

  A mistake by goalkeeper Julio Cesar gifted Daniele De Rossi a 17th-minute opener for the hosts, then Inter defender Walter Samuel headed against the bar just before halftime and fellow Argentine Diego Milito hit the corner of the goalframe soon after the interval.

  Jose Mourinho's team drew level in the 66th minute as Wesley Sneijder set up Milito despite Roma's claims for offside, but on-loan striker Luca Toni netted the winner six minutes later after a wayward shot by substitute Rodrigo Taddei dropped in his path.

  Milito was again left ruing a close miss as he hit the post deep into injury-time, sealing a frustrating defeat ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal first leg against CSKA Moscow.

  Roma are now unbeaten in 21 league games, a run which began with a 1-1 draw at Inter in November when Ranieri's side were 14 points adrift of the Nerazzuri.

  The result was satisfying for Ranieri, who was replaced by Mourinho at English club Chelsea in 2004.

  "Now we face a battle of nerves in our remaining games and the real deal begins. We will not give up although Inter are still one point ahead of us," he told reporters

  Third-placed AC Milan, who lost to Parma in midweek, can join Roma on 62 points with seven matches to play by beating Lazio on Sunday.

• As romanista2001

  28 Mar 10, 13:23

  FORZA ROMA...............VIVA ROMA....................

  Roma will do the impossible by winning the Scudetto...............

• Poignant

  28 Mar 10, 13:57

  Roma hero De Rossi: I now believe! We can win title

  

  
  

  Daniele de Rossi was delighted with his goal in Roma's 2-1 win over Inter Milan.

  The victory saw Roma cut Inter's lead to just one point.

  De Rossi celebrated by taking off his shin pad and kissing it, but reveals there was an ulterior reason.

  “My daughter Gaia's picture is on the inside, so I was kissing her. I also kissed the club symbol on my shirt, as I love Roma too much, second only to my daughter. That's not a lie!

  “Now we have to believe in the Scudetto. Admittedly, at the start I was very sceptical about our chances, but now we're here it would be criminal not to give it our best.

  “Inter are a top side with everything it takes to win and we hope the Champions League can distract them.”

  De Rossi was one of the most vocally critical when Inter took the Scudetto on the last day of the 2007-08 campaign.

  “I have already had my say on that season and haven't changed my mind. Nobody can take our performance that year away from us. There is rivalry with Inter, but not hate.

  “This season there is a certain consistency in the refereeing. There can be mistakes, but they have the guts to make the right decisions.”

• Poignant

  28 Mar 10, 14:00

  Roma coach Ranieri: Now the Scudetto battle begins

  Roma coach Claudio Ranieri says they're going for the Scudetto after victory over Inter Milan.

  Luca Toni and Daniele de Rossi struck the goals for Roma.

  “It was an important game, but not just for me, for all of Rome and the people who follow us. We made sacrifices and fought back for five months, now we have beaten a stratospheric side like Inter,” said Ranieri.

  “I must praise my lads for always playing their football and seeking the goal. It was a fascinating game.

  “The first 40 minutes were excellent, playing it simple and passing the ball around well. Towards the break Inter made their presence felt and in the second half we struggled a little, but remained solid and united. Those who came off the bench were also aggressive and played their part.

  “We're not hiding our Scudetto ambitions, but we are still a point behind. There's a long way to go and it'll be a real battle of wills, as points can be dropped or picked up. We're in the final straight now, the lads are in good shape and we can target the Scudetto.

  “Having Francesco Totti in the side is a great help, of course. It won't be easy from now on, as every side is scrapping for every point. We must be humble and take it one game at a time.”

• As romanista2001

  28 Mar 10, 14:02

  some more without Totti............and Aquilani..............freaking amazing...........

• Poignant

  28 Mar 10, 14:06

  totti came on in the last 5 mins or so

• As romanista2001

  28 Mar 10, 14:09

  Totti is coming back at last ? then the title is Roma's.................