Three days after winning the Champions Cup, AC Milan added the Italian Cup to its trophy case by overcoming AS Roma on a 6-3 aggregate score in the two-leg final following a 2-2 home draw in Saturday's second-leg.
The Milan team, supported by a sold-out crowd of 70,000 still enthusiastic about the victory over Juventus at Old Trafford on Wednesday, capitalized on a 4-1 first-leg win at Stadio Olimpico on May 20 while taking unexpected risks in Saturday's match against a team that ended the match two players down.
PHOTO: AFP
Roma captain Francesco Totti scored two spectacular goals on long-distance free kicks within eight minutes to give his team a 2-0 second-half lead, reviving hopes of the Roman team of a possible comeback.
A winning header by Brazilian standout Rivaldo one minute after Roma's second goal and a tally by striker Filippo Inzaghi in injury time avoided danger.
The crowd cheered the European champions throughout and devoted a standing ovation to midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, a favorite player of AC Milan fans, when he was replaced in the closing minutes.
Roma's hopes faded for good when rising star Antonio Cassano got a red card for arguing with the referee in the 70th while Totti was ejected in the closing minutes following a double caution for rough play. A nervous Totti first traded pushes with Argentine veteran Fernando Redondo and then fouled Rivaldo from behind.
Captain Paolo Maldini, one of the five players from the Manchester final started in Saturday's match, said Milan's season could not have ended in a better way.
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