ROME – The Primavera's cup dreams ended at the quarter-final stage as Roma made home advantage count to secure a 3-1 success in this afternoon's Coppa Italia quarter-final.
Both sides are currently top of their respective league groups but the Giallorossi drew first blood in this clash of heavyweights when a defensive mix-up by Donkor and Dabo enabled Adamo to score the opener midway through the first period.
The hosts made it 2-0 six minutes later after Ferri played in Vestenicky with a lobbed ball over the top and the Slovak striker finished with aplomb.
Stefano Vecchi went all in with a daring 4-2-4 formation after the break and the Nerazzurri managed to reduce the arrears with 15 minutes left on the clock. Appiah was brought down by Calabresi as he entered the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Camara stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.
The goal rallied Inter and they pushed forward looking to complete the comeback. However, their hopes were dashed when another defensive mistake – Yao bringing down Soleri on the edge of the area – allowed Roma to restore the two-goal lead with a penalty of their own and effectively kill off the match.
Alberto De Rossi's team thus earn the right to do battle with Atalanta for a place in the final, while Stefano Vecchi's boys will look to bounce back when they resume championship duties against Virtus Lanciano after the Christmas break.
Roma 3-1 Inter (HT 2-0)
Scorers: Adamo 26, Vestenicky 32, Camara 74 (pen), Verde 83 (pen).
Roma: 1 Pop; 2 Paolelli, 5 Capradossi, 4 Calabresi, 3 Sammartino; 6 D'Urso (Ndoj 81), 8 Pellegrini, 10 Adamo (Vasco 65); 11 Verde, 9 Vestenicky (Soleri 72), 7 Ferri.
Subs not used: 12 Marchegiani, 13 Belvisi, 15 Marchizza, 18 Ricozzi, 19 Di Livio, 20 Ciavattini, 21 Di Mariano, 22 Calì, 23 De Santis.
Coach: Alberto De Rossi.
Inter: 1 Radu; 2 Gyamfi, 5 Yao (Ventre 88), 6 Donkor, 3 Dimarco; 8 Palazzi, 4 Dabo (Appiah 46), 10 Gnoukouri (Rocca 80); 7 Camara, 9 Puscas, 11 Baldini.
Subs not used: 12 Pissardo, 13 Crosato, 14 Sciacca, 15 Pinton, 16 Lomolino, 17 Miangue, 18 Steffè, 20 Bonetto, 21 Rizzotto.
Coach: Stefano Vecchi.
Booked: Paolelli 60, Vestenicky 69, Gyamfi 69, Calabresi 72, Palazzi 75, Ndoj 84, Ventre 90+2.
Referee: Andrea Giuseppe Zanonato.
Assistants: Oliviero, Cantiani.
