Serie A Week 38 – 16/5/10 – Stadio Bentegodi – Ref: Tagliavento
Strikers: Vucinic 39′ (Roma), De Rossi 45′ (Roma)
Despite their best efforts and this comfortable victory, it is Inter who take the Serie A title thanks to their win in Siena.
For the second time in three years, Roma went into the last day needing a win and an Inter slip-up at Siena to lift the Scudetto. Due to their superior head-to-head record, a tie at the top of the table would make the Giallorossi champions of Italy.
The Flying Donkeys were already mathematically safe, but proved with last week’s hard-fought 4-3 loss to Jose Mourinho’s men that they wouldn’t give anyone an easy ride. John Arne Riise was in the stands due to suspension, while Chievo missed Bianchi, Mandelli, Morero and Pinzi.
Around 20,000 Roma fans travelled to the Bentegodi for an extraordinary atmosphere. Francesco Totti’s free kick was charged down and Marco Cassetti drilled off target.
Marco Motta did very well to close down Luca Ariatti for a corner after his marvellous first touch at the byline.
Roma were very unlucky not to take the lead on 21 minutes, as Totti smashed a powerful rising right-foot strike on the bounce that cracked against the outside of the upright!
Lorenzo Squizzi only parried a Totti cross-shot for his defence to desperately clear before Simone Perrotta could pounce. Another Totti lob whistled wide and Squizzi had a Mirko Vucinic low drive under control.
Totti had penalty appeals on 34 minutes, as he just failed to touch a Taddei ball across the face of goal, but he seemed to over-stretch and lose his balance from six yards.
Totti did put the ball in the net, but was clearly offside, then Vucinic hit the effort too meekly on the counter so it was charged down by Sardo.
Roma finally made their domination count six minutes before the break. Vucinic was released on the counter by a ball over the top, let it bounce and picked his spot, smashing the right-foot shot in at the near post from just inside the area.
Inter were still 0-0 at Siena, so at this stage Roma were top of the table thanks to their superior head-to-head record.
The Giallorossi doubled their advantage in first half stoppages. Daniele De Rossi unleashed an unstoppable blockbuster with the outside of his right foot. The poor clearance seemed to be going nowhere, but he hit it so sweetly from 25 metres to stun Sorrentino.
Chievo poured forward at the dawn of the second half, as Sergio Pellissier and Luciano had a series of efforts charged down. News also filtered through that Inter had taken the lead in Siena, meaning any result here would be meaningless.
Roma decided to play on the counter, but both Vucinic and Totti were charged down by Squizzi.
Matteo Brighi’s shot was deflected wide of the near post. From the resulting corner, a Philippe Mexes header skimmed the woodwork.
Squads:
Chievo: Squizzi; Sardo, Scardina, Yepes, Jokic; Luciano, Iori (Moro 78), Ariatti (De Paula 58), Bentivoglio; Granoche (Bogdani 68), Pellissier
Roma: Julio Sergio; Motta (Mexes 75), Juan, Burdisso, Cassetti (Tonetto 69); De Rossi (Brighi 70), Pizarro; Taddei, Perrotta, Vucinic; Totti