Newsgroup: it.sport.calcio
Titolo: Roma_Arsenal...cronaca

We came, we saw and Thierry Henry conquered on a night of high drama here in
Rome.
The French striker scored Arsenal?s first ever hat-trick in the Champions
League as we roared back to claim a superb victory in the Phase Two opener
at the Stadio Olimpico.
Arsene Wenger's side were the visitors to the Eternal City but they
displayed true gladiatorial spirit with a performance of pace, power and,
above all, discipline.
Antonio Cassano put the home side ahead after just four minutes but Henry
replied a minute later. He then added two more midway through the second
half as we turned on the style.
It was a special performance on a special night and one that has given us
the early advantage in Group B.
Before kick-off, Wenger believed David Seaman's slight groin injury left him
with a "90 per cent chance of playing" but Oleg Luzhny (hamstring) had only
a 20 per cent chance. In fact it was the Ukranian who took his place at
right back but Rami Shaaban deputised between the posts.
Less than four minutes into the game our Swedish stopper was picking the
ball out of the back of the net. Cassano played a one-two with Francesco
Totti just outside the area, cut inside Sol Campbell and tricked a shot in
off the post. The ball seemed to take an agonisingly long time to nestle
into the far corner of the net. The Stadio Olimpico erupted.
Our response was immediate. Henry escaped on the left-hand side of the box,
steadied himself and planted a low side-footed shot into the far corner of
the net. The Stadio Olimpico was stunned.
The game then found its rhythm. Henry and strike partner Sylvain Wiltord
were combining well with Patrick Vieira in midfield while Ashley Cole was
lending support to the front line at every opportunity.
We might have gone in front in the 22nd minute when Gilberto spotted Freddie
Ljungberg on the right flank. The Brazilian raced into the six-yard area and
would have tapped in the return pass but for the fingertips of the diving
Roma keeper, Francesco Antonioli.
The home side were muted but not without menace. Defender Christian Panucci
burst forward, beat Robert Pires and fired in a shot that clipped the heel
of Pascal Cygan and could have gone anywhere. Fortunately, it whistled wide
and the subsequent corner came to nothing.
Roma conjured up another chance soon afterwards and, frankly, should have
regained the lead. Cafu careered to the right-hand byline and sent over a
deep cross that cleared Campbell.
Totti had time to chest the ball down and fire in a bullet shot. However,
incredibly, Cygan popped up to clear off the line.
To our credit, we settled our nerves and worked ourselves back into the
game. Three minutes before the break, Vieira's downward header bounced over
the bar following Gilberto?s inswinging free-kick.
The start of the second half was much quieter than that of the first.
Although, the home fans tried to rouse their side with incessant noise, on
the pitch Roma were disjointed.
We were better, retaining our shape and breaking with speed. And anyway, as
Wenger said before the game, a point was a more than an adequate return from
this footballing cauldron.
Early on, Cafu again escaped on the right flank and only Campbell timely
sliding tackle prevented Cassano snaffling a second.
The Roma striker was substituted for Vincenzo Montella on 62 minutes but his
last act was to tumble over a tackle from the onrushing Shaaban. The referee
waved play on despite howls from the Roman crowd.
However, they were silenced when we took the lead in the 67rd minute. Cole
whipped a cross into the area from the left, Henry met the ball with a
strong header. It hit Panucci and sat up neatly for the Frenchman to thump
home from close range.
Roma manager Fabio Capello responded the only way he could ? by bringing on
Gabriel Batistuta. The veteran Argentinian striker ended our Champions
League hopes in 1999 when playing for Fiorentina. His first touch set up
Cafu but Shaaban repelled his fierce shot.
It proved to be a vital save as, after Wiltord was fouled just outside the
area, Henry curled home a sumptuous third straight afterwards.
The goal mute the Romans once more. It did quiet the opposite to the
travelling Arsenal support as we held on for a famous victory.

 Rome.
Switters, come ha giocato Pires? Sta meglio adesso? Ha ritrovato il suo livello
di gioco?


--------------------------------
Inviato via 
http://usenet.libero.it