AS Roma and Inter will contest the Italian Cup final for the fifth time in six years after Roma reached the final despite a 1-0 defeat at Udinese in Wednesday’s semi-final, second leg.
Roma triumphed 2-1 on aggregate following their 2-0 win at home in the first leg back in February.
Alexis Sanchez scored the only goal of the game nine minutes from time, but that wasn’t enough to take the relegation-threatened club past the Serie A leaders.
PHOTO: AFP
Roma had to survive some nervous last few moments after Marco Cassetti was harshly sent off for a second booking six minutes from time.
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri had claimed on Tuesday that there would be no turnover, but he still made five changes to the team that beat SS Lazio 2-1 on Sunday.
The likes of Francesco Totti and Mirko Vucinic were amongst those rested for this weekend’s visit of Sampdoria.
Roma controlled the first half without any scares, but Udinese upped the tempo after the break.
Gokhan Inler fired narrowly over the bar, while Simone Pepe swung a free-kick from the left just past the far post.
Sanchez gave the hosts the lead on 81 minutes when he beat John-Arne Riise on the outside and somehow squeezed a shot between Julio Sergio’s legs from a tight angle.
In a frantic finale, Inler hit the post with a rasping shot from distance, the ball coming back out, hitting Sergio and going behind for a corner.
In the last minute of stoppage-time, Pepe arrived at the back post to meet a cross, but bundled the ball hopelessly over the bar.
Inter qualified for the final last week with a 2-0 aggregate victory over Fiorentina.
The Cup has been held in Rome for the last three years, with Lazio triumphing last season and Roma doing so the previous two years.
Before that, Inter had won it twice in a row.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely