Before the away game against Juventus, a set of data caught the attention of Italian media. Roma and Juventus are the two teams with the most Italian Cup titles in history, each having won 9 championships, making them the kings of cup competitions in Serie A. Therefore, their encounters are highly anticipated, with some media referring to this match as an early final. In the end, Roma's defense was more effective, and Taddei's goal in the final stages of the match sealed the victory. With two surprise goals, Roma easily overcame Juventus away from home and advanced to the semi-finals. Their opponent in the semi-final will be Inter Milan, who eliminated Napoli. Roma and Inter Milan have been frequent rivals in recent seasons, meeting 5 times in the Italian Cup finals over the past 6 seasons, with Roma losing on 3 occasions. This early encounter in the semi-final may not be as satisfying as stepping on the other team to win the championship, but it is a good opportunity for revenge. This time, last season's captain, Francesco Totti, who was sent off in the final, is eager to compete with Inter Milan.
With goals from Vucinic and Taddei, Roma eliminated Juventus and confidently advanced to the semi-finals. Their opponent in the semi-final will be their old rival Inter Milan in the Italian Cup over the past 6 seasons. If Roma can successfully take revenge, they will surpass Juventus and become the king of cup competitions with the most Italian Cup titles in history!
Perhaps due to the weight of many pressures, both teams started cautiously and even nervously in today's match. In the first 15 minutes, neither team attempted a single shot, unable even to penetrate the opposing penalty area. After 15 minutes, Roma's overall tactical advantage began to show, as the wolves started to control the pace of the game. The midfield trio of De Rossi, Simplício, and Perrotta firmly controlled the initiative on the field. Despite the absence of captain Totti, Roma's offense still appeared more organized.
Good offensive control also indicates excellent defensive performance by Roma. Because Juventus lined up with Sissoko and Melo today, their midfield lacked finesse despite its strength. They were clearly inferior to Roma in terms of controlling the offensive rhythm and organizing plays. Additionally, Roma's defense was very tough today, with close marking on players like Del Piero. Even when they managed to break free, they were quickly brought down by Roma's defenders. Losing control of the midfield, combined with technical deficiencies compared to Roma, allowed Roma to maintain a more stable control of the situation.
In the second half, the tug-of-war continued between the two sides. A personal improvisation by Vucinic changed the entire situation on the field. At the 65th minute, Vucinic received a long pass from his teammate in the left side of the penalty area and suddenly flicked a shot. The ball curved beautifully into the net. It was a classic Vucinic-style goal, with a stunning curve, tight angle, and a fleeting moment that bypassed the opposition's defense. Vucinic's shot disrupted Juventus's tactical arrangements, leaving Del Neri flustered after conceding the goal. Instead of bringing on Aquilani, who had better organizational skills, he substituted Grosso, who was unnecessary for the situation.