By Anna Italia

                                         ROMA  1    -     0  PALERMO
                                               59' Amantino Mancini

Substitutions:   72' Simone Perrotta out, Alberto Aquilani in      61' Fabrizio Miccoli out, Cassani in
                          81' Francesco Totti out, Mirko Vucinic in            63' Fabrizio Simplicio out, Edinson Cavani in
                          90' Amantino Mancini out, Cicinho in                 83' Casserta out, Bosko Jankovic in


Prior the match it was party time for all Roma in the Olimpico. Roma celebrated Captain FRANCESCO TOTTI 200 goals.  Roma fans thank Totti for these 200 goals with Roma.  Undoubtedly, Totti is the living motor of Roma, the symbol. 

The challenge for Roma is to win this match to grasp the 3 points and continue the race for the Scudetto with FC Inter.  Challenge for Palermo is to beat Roma in the Olimpico to have their first victory in 2008.


Al 2’ Mancini lanciato da Perrotta viene fermato da Zavagli in fallo laterale. Bellissima azione della Roma al 5’: girata al volo angolata di Perrotta da posizione angolata, la palla sfiora il palo opposto. Percolo per i giallorossi al 7’ Miccoli prova il tiro dalla distanza, palla sul fondo.
The first half ends 0 - 0 despite Roma constant attack.  Midfielder Simone Perrotta has been brilliant but "Lady Luck" denied Perrotta a goal.

It is clear that midfielder Daniele De Rossi is a fundamental player for Roma. Roma needs help in the midfield. Unfortunately, De Rossi is out for suspension.

In the 56th minute, Roma had a clear chance to score when Cassetti sends a low cross to Simone Perrota missing the target in the penalty area. Here comes the crucial moment of the match when Referee Christian Brighi gives a straight RED CARD to Palermo  defender Rinaudo.  I think it was an exaggerated punishment. Brighi commits foul  but not for a red card, a yellow card was more likely because Rinaudo when after the ball not the player. 

Even commentators from Radio Spazio Aperto and RAI said that Referee Brighi made a mistake by giving the Red Card. I agree with them.

Palermo now with 10 players among the confusion and protests of players is surprised by Roma. In the 59th minute, forward Amantino Mancini opens the score after a corner kick by David Pizarro.  Mancini heads the ball blasting Palermo Goalkeeper Alberto Fontana. 
AS ROMA 1 -  0 PALERMO

                                   
                                             Perrotta and Mancini (photo Eurosport)

Unbelievable, Palermo lost control in 3 minutes, right after Referee Brighi sent off Rinaudo.  Some might argue that Roma won because they had the extra man.

In this crucial situation, Palermo Coach decides to makes two substitutions.
In the 61st minute, substitutes forward Fabrizio Miccoli for Cassani
In the 63rd minute, substitutes Fabrizio Simplicio for forward Edinson Cavani

AS Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti substitutes in the 72nd minute midfielder Simone Perrotta for striker Alberto Aquilani. Perrotta leaves the field with a standing ovation for his performance.

In the 81st minute, Roma makes a good move when French defender Philippe Mexes clears out a cross from Cassani that could equalize the match. Great move by Mexes.  Then, Amantino Mancini gets the ball from Palermo defense tyring to send a cross to Francesco Totti but defender Andrea Barzagli intercepted the ball. 

Casserta is injured and Palermo Coach substitutes him in the 83rd minute for midfielder Bosko Jankovic.

In the 81st minute, the entire Olimpico applauds CAPTAIN FRANCESCO TOTTI when Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti substitutes him for striker Mirko Vucinic.

In the 90th minute, Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti substitutes striker Amantino Mancini for Cicinho. You bet Mancini leaves the field with a standing ovation after delivering the only goal for Roma securing the golden 3 points.

Last minutes are intense in the Olimpico and Alberto Aquilani playing brilliantly.  First, Aquilani sends a cross to Taddei on the left flank when Palermo defender Andrea barzagli heads away the ball. Immediately, in the 90th minute Aquiliani sends a header but goes over the crossbar. 

After the match forward Mancini declared in Radio Spazio Aperto to be happy not only for him but for Roma.  Mancini also cleared rumors that he was going to leave Roma. He said that he has been with Roma 5 years and wanted to stay.  Point is to celebrate Roma's victory with Mancini's goal that keep the hope for the Scudetto.  If Inter loses tomorrow against Udinese, the difference between Roma and Inter will be only 4 points.

AS ROMA	Week 20     Serie A     Twentieth Round	PALERMO
1	Goals scored	0
1	Yellow card	1
0	Red card	1
2	Shots on goal	0
37	Cross	17
13	Fouls committed	20
7	Corner Kicks	4
1	Offsides	2
67.1%	ball possession	32.9%

LINEUPS

Italian Week 20 Serie A Tim 2007 - 2008
 Twentieth Round Matchday 20
Saturday, January 26, 2008
AS Roma 1  -  0 Palermo
Olimpico Stadium

Referee:  Christian Brighi
Assistants: Romagnoli and Nicoletti
Fourth Official: Russo

AS Roma (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Doni,

Defenders: Cassetti, Ferrari, Philippe Mexes, Tonetto,

Midfielders: Brighi, David Pizarro, Rodrigo Taddei, Simone Perrotta (Alberto Aquilani 71), Amantino Mancini(Cicinho 90),

Forward:  Francesco Totti (Mirko Vucinic 81).

 

Subs: Curci, Panucci, Cicinho, Aquilani, Esposito, Giuly, Vucinic.

Coach: Luciano Spalletti

 

Palermo (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper:  Alberto Fontana,

Defenders: Biava, Rinaudo, Andrea Barzagli, Zaccardo,

Midfielders:  Guana, Migliaccio, Simplicio(Cavani 63), Caserta(Jankovic),

Forwrds:  Fabrizio Miccoli(Cassani 62), Amauri.

 

Subs: Agliardi, Cassani, Capuano, Tedesco, Cavani, Bresciano, Jankovic.

 

Coach: Francesco Guidolin

 

Cards:

Yellow: Cassetti (Roma)

Red: Rinaudo (Palermo)