Roma limps into final, Villa keeps hopes alive
Source: Agencies |
April 23, 2010, Friday
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AS Roma edged closer to a first ever league and cup double by limping into the Italian Cup final after a 0-1 defeat at Udinese in Wednesday's second leg.
Claudio Ranieri's side, which leads Serie A by a point with four games left, went through 2-1 on aggregate thanks to February's 2-0 first-leg win.
Alexis Sanchez gave relegation-threatened Udinese a glimmer of hope nine minutes from time with a powerful shot from the right channel and the hosts could easily have levelled the tie late on when Bernardo Corradi headed straight at Julio Sergio.
Roma, which barely carved out a chance and had defender Marco Cassetti sent off for a second booking on 84 minutes, will meet title rivals Inter in the final in Rome on May 5 for the fifth time in six years.
Wednesday's defeat, coupled with losses to Panathinaikos in the Europa League last 32, contrast with a run of 24 games unbeaten in Serie A which has propelled the debt-laden club towards improbable glory.
"In the final minutes we were a little worried," Ranieri told reporters. "It was better that our good run ended today, let's hope our form in the championship lasts."
Ranieri rested Francesco Totti on the bench with one eye on the title run-in and following the captain's thumbs-down gesture towards Lazio fans after Sunday's volatile city derby which landed him a hefty fine.
In England, Aston Villa kept alive its slim hopes of Champions League qualification with an easy 2-0 Premier League win at relegation-threatened Hull City.
Gabriel Agbonlahor's smart finish inside the box gave Villa the lead on 14 minutes but Kevin Kilbane missed a great chance to equalise for the hosts.
Hull striker Jan Venegoor of Hesselink was carried off on a stretcher in the second half following a clash of heads and James Milner added a penalty for Villa 12 minutes from time.
"We're in the mix. We're going for everything and guaranteed nothing," Villa manager Martin O'Neill said. "Where I've been pleased with the team is they've responded fantastically to the defeat at Stamford Bridge. The team has shown a great deal of character all season and I think that was epitomized tonight."
Villa moved above Liverpool into sixth on 61 points from 35 matches and trails Tottenham Hotspur, which occupies the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot, by three having played one game more.
Hull, in 18th place with 28 points, is three points adrift of safety with just three games left.
Claudio Ranieri's side, which leads Serie A by a point with four games left, went through 2-1 on aggregate thanks to February's 2-0 first-leg win.
Alexis Sanchez gave relegation-threatened Udinese a glimmer of hope nine minutes from time with a powerful shot from the right channel and the hosts could easily have levelled the tie late on when Bernardo Corradi headed straight at Julio Sergio.
Roma, which barely carved out a chance and had defender Marco Cassetti sent off for a second booking on 84 minutes, will meet title rivals Inter in the final in Rome on May 5 for the fifth time in six years.
Wednesday's defeat, coupled with losses to Panathinaikos in the Europa League last 32, contrast with a run of 24 games unbeaten in Serie A which has propelled the debt-laden club towards improbable glory.
"In the final minutes we were a little worried," Ranieri told reporters. "It was better that our good run ended today, let's hope our form in the championship lasts."
Ranieri rested Francesco Totti on the bench with one eye on the title run-in and following the captain's thumbs-down gesture towards Lazio fans after Sunday's volatile city derby which landed him a hefty fine.
In England, Aston Villa kept alive its slim hopes of Champions League qualification with an easy 2-0 Premier League win at relegation-threatened Hull City.
Gabriel Agbonlahor's smart finish inside the box gave Villa the lead on 14 minutes but Kevin Kilbane missed a great chance to equalise for the hosts.
Hull striker Jan Venegoor of Hesselink was carried off on a stretcher in the second half following a clash of heads and James Milner added a penalty for Villa 12 minutes from time.
"We're in the mix. We're going for everything and guaranteed nothing," Villa manager Martin O'Neill said. "Where I've been pleased with the team is they've responded fantastically to the defeat at Stamford Bridge. The team has shown a great deal of character all season and I think that was epitomized tonight."
Villa moved above Liverpool into sixth on 61 points from 35 matches and trails Tottenham Hotspur, which occupies the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot, by three having played one game more.
Hull, in 18th place with 28 points, is three points adrift of safety with just three games left.
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