COPPA ITALIA FINAL: ROMA vs. AC MILAN
After two very different Serie A campaigns for these two clubs, AC Milan and AS Roma have been brought together in the final match of the Italian domestic season; the Coppa Italia final. Milan nearly had the Serie A title this year. However, a catastrophic final 10 games watched them fall from the summit into the Europa League places as Roma won their second straight Scudetto crown.
Today, Max Allegri and his men will have their chance for vengeance, while Francesco Totti and his Serie A champions will look to complete a domestic treble of the Supercoppa, the Serie A, and the Coppa Italia. Having already won the competition 10 times, the Giallorossi could set a new record today by winning their 11th Coppa trophy. First, let's take a look at the starting lineups.
AS Roma Starting XI (4-1-2-1-2)
26. Morgan De Sanctis; 2. Sebastian Corchia, 5. Tin Jedvaj, 17. Mehdi Benatia, 3. Dodo; 20. McDonald Mariga; 15. Miralem Pjanic, 16. Daniele De Rossi; 7. Clement Grenier; 9. Mattia Destro, 8. Adem Ljajic
AC Milan Starting XI (4-3-1-2)
1. Marco Amelia; 20. Ignazio Abate, 29. Facundo Roncaglia, 19. Federico Fazio, 24. Pablo Armero; 23. Andre Ayew, 16. Nigel De Jong, 14. Keisuke Honda; 7. Gylfi Sigurdsson; 15. Manolo Gabbiadini; 45. Mario Balotelli
Totti was forced into making a couple of changes to his usual side due to injury and suspension. Turkish playmaker Nuri Sahin missed out with a calf injury while Italian duo Marco Verratti and Paolo Cannavaro were not selected due to suspension; in their places, McDonald Mariga, Clement Grenier, and youngster Tin Jedvaj were selected.
It was a tight game from the very first whistle, neither side willing to give an inch of space anywhere on the pitch. Both teams were set up to play with 4 players in the central midfield area, and thus neither side's playmakers could really find lots of time or space on the ball.
19 minutes into the first half, though, reigning champions Roma nearly found the breakthrough. Sebastian Corchia had bombed down the right wing, surging past Pablo Armero and whipping in a cross to the near post. Mattia Destro flicked it on brilliantly but the ball ricocheted off the post and out, saving Milan's graces.
So close, yet so far: Mattia Destro nearly opened the scoring for the Giallorossi, only to see his brilliant flicked header cannon off of the post and out.
The remainder of the first half passed without any real incident as both teams continued to cancel each other out in midfield. Jedvaj and Benatia had thus far done a good job in staying tight to the Rossoneri's danger man, Mario Balotelli, and not allowing him any space with which to change the game.
In the second half, Super Mario started to get on the ball a little bit more and create opportunities for himself and his teammates. Ten minutes after halftime, Nigel De Jong heartily won the ball in midfield and launched it forward to the Italy international striker. Balotelli used his strength to turn against Jedvaj and slip in the run of Manolo Gabbiadini. The young striker was brilliantly denied by veteran Morgan De Sanctis, however, and the scores stayed level.
The scores remained level for the rest of the 90 minutes, and the two Italian giants were forced into playing Extra Time. Both sides were looking tired as the first period began, but as the first period dwindled to a close, Adem Ljajic certainly was looking lively. The Serbian attacker turned smartly after receiving from Miralem Pjanic and immediately chipped the ball, catching Marco Amelia off guard and nestling into the net to give AS Roma a brilliantly taken lead.
Just after the break, though, the monumental collapse began. Daniele De Rossi slid in on Gylfi Sigurdsson from behind, a reckless and impudent challenge, earning the club's midfield leader aa second yellow card and thus a sending off.
Utterly incensed: Club vice-captain Daniele De Rossi was sent off late in the second period of Extra Time, leaving Roma down to 10 men and defending their 1 goal lead with their lives.
Even down to 10 men, it seemed the Giallorossi would just about hold on. The clock was ticking down; only 1 minute was left before the final whistle would blow and Roma would win...Gylfi Sigurdsson, though, had other ideas.
The Icelandic attacking midfielder held his run outside the box as Riccardo Montolivo served in a delivery from the right wing to the top of the D, straight to Sigurdsson to lash at first time and score. It was an outstanding volley from all of 25 yards, and AC Milan, against all the odds, had equalized in the very last moment, shattering the hearts of the Roma faithful.
And so the match ended 1-1, and the two teams were forced into the dreaded lottery of penalty kicks. During these tense moments, the first three shooters for both teams held their nerve. Mario Balotelli, Riccardo Montolivo, and Gylfi Sigurdssno each scored, yet Francesco Totti, Adem Ljajic, and Alvaro Morata equalized each time.
Next up was AS Roma's player of the season, Miralem Pjanic, after Lacina Traore had made it 4-3. The Bosnian midfielder had scored 3 goals and assisted twice during the Giallorossi's cup run, including his assist on Ljajic's goal, but knew this spot kick meant more than any of that. He stepped up, fired, and was denied brilliantly by the sprawling Marco Amelia.
Nigel De Jong stepped up for the final penalty, and all Pjanic could do was stand with his head in his hands as the Dutch destroyer smashed home a vicious spot kick, securing the Coppa Italia final in dramatic fashion for the resilient AC Milan side.
Penalty Hero: Nigel De Jong scored the decisive penalty to give AC Milan a dramatic comeback victory, 1-1 in regular time after Sigurdsson's 119th minute equalizer, and 5-3 in penalties.
"Disappointed doesn't even begin to decide it," said a visibly upset Totti after the match. "We were this close to winning the Coppa, and we blew it. Late in a game, you can't get sent off. You must keep your head. Along with this, I never liked penalty shootouts, but when they come, again you must keep your head, and today Milan kept their heads better than we did and won."
Daniele De Rossi also spoke quickly with the press, telling them with a thick voice, "Today the result is very much my fault. As a leader, I cannot be getting sent off like this in such a crucial game, and I have apologized to my team and I would like to apologize to the fans. However, do not lose faith; we have had a great season, and next year we will return even better."
If it's any consolation to you Roma fans, the very next day Francesco Totti was voted Manager of the Year. Max Allegri, on the other hand, was sacked for his dismal finish to the Serie A season.
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