TORRITA DI SIENA - In front of approximately 700 spectators on the second sweltering afternoon (32C), Salvatore Cerrone's Inter defeated Roma 2-0 in the first match of Group 1 in the end-of-season championship finals for the Giovanissimi Nazionali.
With Ernesto Paolillo and youth academy director Roberto Samaden in attendance, the Nerazzurri opened the scoring in the first half through striker Federico Bonazzoli (18th minutes, pictured), but Roma threatened as well on a pair of attempts from Vasco, who hit the bar in the 8th minute and forced a save from Di Gregorio in the 32nd minute.
In the second half Inter doubled their lead on 62 minutes thanks to a goal from midfielder Melkamu Taufer, one of the 1998-born lads who had been promoted to the team. Faced with Inter's superior play, Roma's performance dipped as the match wore on and they looked less and less likely to find a goal. After 5 minutes of injury time the match ended, signalling Inter's first win.
Tomorrow the action will return to the pitch at the Stadio Comunale Morandi in Ponte a Tressa, again at 18:00, for the Derby d'Italia: Inter v Juventus, a match that is being eagerly awaited by fans from local Inter Club chapters who are sure to show their support for Cerrone's boys. Today, the Bianconeri beat Reggina 3-0.
Inter 2-0 Roma (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Bonazzoli 18, Taufer 62.
Inter: 1 Di Gregorio; 2 Arcuri, 3 Dimarco, 4 De Micheli (32' st Panatti), 5 Della Giovanna, 6 Bernardi, 7 Zonta (Cassani 63), 8 Thaoule (Gazzotti 82), 9 Bonazzoli (Sanogo 63), 10 Brambilla (Scienza 67), 11 Cotali (Taufer 46).
Unused subs: 12 Bourmila, 14 Bondioli, 20 Opoku.
Coach: Cerrone.
Roma: 1 Faiella; 2 D'Urso, 3 Gargiulo, 4 E. De Santis (Dovidio 82), 5 Ricozzi, 6 Bordi, 7 N. De Santis (Illiano 71), 8 Preti, 9 Traini, 10 Di Livio (28' st Mugnetti), 11 Vasco (Calì 67).
Unused subs: 12 Lombardi, 14 Marchizza, 15 Barbato, 16 La Terra, 17 Toti.
Coach: Coppitelli.
Referee: Camardi (Imperiale and Spensieri).
Booked: N. De Santis.
