ROMA - It couldn't have been a more disappointing return to Roma for Claudio Ranieri as the Giallorossi put four past Inter, who were unable to get their game together or find the necessary grit at the Olimpico. There was no reaction to Roma's goals: Juan broke the deadlock with a header, Borini grabbed a brace and Bojan rounded off the scoring in the 90th minute. Nerazzurri motionless, on the pitch and in the league table: they remain on 36 points.
FIRST HALF – This was Claudio Ranieri's first game against his former team Roma and also his 600th match as a coach at Italian clubs. He went with veteran central defensive pair Lucio and Samuel at the back in front of Julio Cesar and Maicon and Nagatomo as full-backs; a four-man midfield with Zanetti and Obi wide, Palombo making his full debut alongside Cambiasso in the centre; Milito and Pazzini up front.
The first chance of the match fell to Roma in the 5th minute as Borini latched onto a ball over the top and shot on the turn: wide. The Giallorossi had started strongly and were looking dangerous especially through Lamela. On 12 minutes Julio Cesar was called into action twice in a matter of seconds: first to deny Lamela following Totti's backheel, then to keep out Pjanic's effort. However, the Brazilian could do nothing a minute later, when Totti's corner was met in the air by Juan, the Brazilian leaping above the crowd to head Roma in front. Milito went looking for an equaliser after a quarter of an hour, setting off from the halfway line and nutmegging De Rossi before cutting inside and aiming for the far post, but Stekelenburg made the save. The Giallorossi kept up the pressure and on 27 minutes Totti collected a return ball from José Angel inside the box; however, the captain was unable to get his shot away. Luis Enrique's men were clearly on top. In the 32nd minute, Lamela connected with José Angel's high ball but could only loop his header over the bar. The Nerazzurri's second chance of game came after 37 minutes: Pazzini didn't trouble Stekelenburg with his header. Two minutes later Nagatomo was in a good position on the left of the area but drove a shot-cross well beyond the far post with Pazzini lurking. Roma doubled their lead four minutes before half time: De Rossi fed Pjanic, who chipped a ball into the area for Borini; the forward dribbled past Samuel and fired home with his right. After a minute's added time the first half ended 2-0 to Roma.
SECOND HALF – Claudio Ranieri made two half-time substitutions as he looked to shake the side up, with Cordoba coming on for Samuel and Poli for Pazzini. Yet just three minutes passed and Roma had a third, and Borini was again the scorer. Juan hoofed a long ball forward, Borini beat the offside trap and chested down, holding off Lucio, and finished from the centre of area. In the 62nd minute Cordoba and Julio Cesar read the opposition's move well and were able to cut out Totti as he bore down on goal. Pjanic had a chance a few minutes later but couldn't keep his effort down. Roma were still in control of the game and there was no sign of a reaction from the Nerazzurri throughout the second half. Bojan made it four in the 89th minute, bringing down a cross from Serie A debutant Piscitella and wriggling free of the Nerazzurri defenders before firing home from the edge of the box. Two minutes of added time were played before the referee blew the final whistle: Roma 4-0 Inter.
Roma 4-0 Inter (HT: 2-0)
Scorers: Juan 13, Borini 41 and 48, Bojan 89.
Roma: 24 Stekelenburg; 11 Taddei, 4 Juan, 5 Heinze, 3 José Angel; 19 Gago (Simplicio 70), 16 De Rossi, 15 Pjanic; 10 Totti; 8 Lamela (Bojan 73), 31 Borini (Piscitella 80);
Subs: 1 Lobont, 87 Rosi, 44 Kjaer, 23 Greco;
Coach: Luis Enrique.
Inter: 1 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon (Faraoni 67), 6 Lucio, 25 Samuel (Cordoba 46), 55 Nagatomo; 4
Zanetti, 17 Palombo, 19 Cambiasso, 20 Obi; 7 Pazzini (Poli 46), 22
Milito;
Subs: 12 Castellazzi, 23 Ranocchia, 26
Chivu, 30 Castaignos;
Coach: Claudio
Ranieri.
Referee: Andrea De Marco (Chiavari).
Booked: De Rossi 54, Maicon 56, Faraoni 70, Taddei 75, Juan 86.
Added time: 1+2 minutes.
