Paolo Maldini’s final match in front of the San Siro crowd ended in disappointment as AS Roma stunned AC Milan 3-2 on Sunday.

Maldini was making his last appearance in the red and black Milan shirt in front of his home fans but Francesco Totti’s late free-kick pooped the party for the 40-year-old veteran, who made his debut for the club in 1985 as a 16-year-old.

And despite Massimo Ambrosini’s brace in the final quarter of an hour, Roma snatched a vital three points that secured them a place in next season’s Europa League. The result didn’t do anything, though, to stop Milan’s fans paying homage to a player who has graced the San Siro pitch for 24 years.

No-one left the building as Maldini performed a lap of honour to rousing applause, although a small minority spoiled the atmosphere by chanting slogans against Maldini. Even so, coach Carlo Ancelotti, who may too leave Milan at the end of the season, said it did nothing to detract from the generally generous reception the club captain received.

“A small minority protested against certain things he did. It was a drop in an ocean full of affection and passion, hence insignificant,” he said before deflection talk of his own future.

“Today there’s no reason to talk about that because we’re still playing (there’s one more match to play).

“We have a week to prepare well. Hence we will talk about all this after Florence (Milan’s last game is away to Fiorentina).”

The hosts had the first clear chance of the game just before the half hour mark as Pato was sent clean through down the inside left channel. He opened up his body and brought the ball back onto his right foot to try to curl the ball around Roma goalkeeper Artur but the Brazilian got the slightest touch to deflect it wide.

Maldini San Siro Swansong Turns Sour With Roma Defeat … read more »

Aggregate: 1 – 1 Arsenal (7 – 6) win on penalties Arsenal
Roma    1 – 0     Arsenal
Juan 9

Arsenal FC are through to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after an epic penalty shoot-out win at AS Roma.

Shoot-out
It took only nine minutes for Roma defender Juan to level the aggregate scores, yet almost two hours later – despite numerous chances at either end – there was still nothing to choose between the sides as first extra time and then spot-kicks ensued. Both goalkeepers made saves in the shoot-out, from Mirko Vučinić and Eduardo da Silva respectively, before Max Tonetto’s decisive miss. Tonetto blazed Roma’s eighth effort over as the Giallorossi’s dream of playing the final at their home stadium, as they had done in 1984, died.

Juan strikes
Arsenal, who had come to attack, made the more assured opening, but the first few minutes turned out to be all about Juan. First the Brazilian, back from a thigh injury, came to David Pizarro’s rescue after Robin van Persie had pounced on a back-pass. The centre-back then briefly limped off with the majority of the 65,000 tifosi fearing the worst, yet was soon back with a bang as Francesco Totti’s left-wing cross found its way through the legs of William Gallas and Rodrigo Taddei for Juan to control before calmly side-footing past Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal Advance After Epic Rome Shoot-out … read more »

Inter Milan twice came back from two-goal deficits to hold AS Roma to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the San Siro on Sunday and extend their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points.

Jose Mourinho’s team looked to be heading for more heartache following their footballing lesson by Manchester United in the Champions League in midweek as they trailed 2-0 and 3-1.

But a brace from teenager Mario Balotelli and a late equaliser from Hernan Crespo stole a share of the spoils and helped to maintain a sizeable gap to second-placed Juventus, who beat Napoli 1-0 on Saturday.

Roma were the better team in the first period and on 23 minutes young full-back Marco Motta cut in from the right and crossed left-footed into the box where Daniele De Rossi arrived late to out-jump Javier Zanetti and glance home a fine header.

Jon Arne Riise notched a second on 29 minutes after galloping down the left onto a David Pizarro through ball, sneaking in behind Maicon and somehow squeaking the ball through Julio Cesar’s legs and in from a seemingly impossible angle.

Nicolas Burdisso had to make a last ditched challenge to deny Mirko Vucinic as Roma threatened to run riot in the first half.

But straight after the break Inter were given a lifeline as Adriano teed up Balotelli to beat Doni at his near post.

But Inter’s reprieve didn’t last long as Matteo Brighi ran through a gap in the home defence on 57 minutes before rifling home from outside the area.

Inter Show Title Spirit In Six-goal Thriller … read more »

Arsenal FC hold the advantage at the midway point of their last-16 tie with AS Roma after Robin van Persie’s first-half penalty inflicted another dose of travel sickness on the Serie A side. Roma have now suffered six successive defeats on English soil although they may feel relieved to have lost by just the one goal given the clear chances that Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboué missed in the second half to extend the Gunners’ lead.

Arsenal probing
After a frustrating run of results in the Premier League, Arsène Wenger was hoping this tie would bring the best out of his Arsenal players and they certainly started on the front foot. After six minutes Samir Nasri’s cross provided Bendtner with a shooting opportunity but the Danish forward’s heavy first touch took the ball away from him allowing Marco Motta to make the block. Nasri then got his head to a Gaël Clichy centre from the left but failed to direct the ball goalwards. Arsenal kept probing and Van Persie came close when latching on to Abou Diaby’s ball over the top only for Doni to save at his feet.

Motta denied
Injuries had forced Roma coach Luciano Spalletti to field two defenders with only two UEFA Champions League appearances between them. Yet this pair, right-back Motta and centre-back Simone Loria, both came close to scoring in the opening quarter. In the 17th minute, Motta surged forward down the inside-right channel and unleashed a rising drive that Manuel Almunia did superbly to tip over at full stretch. Loria then volleyed over from close range after Totti’s free-kick had picked him out unmarked.

Van Persie Strikes as Arsenal Reel in Roma … read more »

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti could be out of action for more than a month after scan confirmed that he damaged a muscle in his right thigh. during the 3-2 defeat at Calcio Catania yesterday.

Thigh problem
Totti was forced out after 31 minutes of Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Calcio Catania, which ended a run of eight victories in all competitions, leaving the pitch holding the back of his thigh after trying a back-heel pass to Júlio Baptista. On Monday the forward underwent a scan which confirmed a strain.

Absence
He will not train for ten days and may not be available when Roma resume their Serie A campaign on 11 January against AC Milan, adding to a previous absence this term due to a knee problem, a blow as Totti has managed five goals in ten league games this term. However, the 32-year-old should return in plenty of time for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against Arsenal FC on 24 February and 11 March.