Roma Women scored four impressive goals to secure a thrilling 4-3 win over Inter Milan on Saturday afternoon.
The Giallorosse, in a rare home game held at Trigoria, were in sparkling form in front of goal, as four different goalscorers delivered four exquisite strikes to see off the Nerazzurri - who were never as close to snatching something from the contest as the scoreline would suggest.
"We knew we were facing a side in decent form - like us, coming off a big win in the Coppa Italia," said assistant coach Leonardo Montesano, deputising on the day for the ill Betty Bavagnoli.
"I have to praise the girls for the determination and focus they showed. We wanted to start the game well and we did that - we didn't want a repeat of what happened in our first meeting."
It was Lindsey Thomas who set the tone for what would follow, as she rounded the goalkeeper before backheeling home cleverly to give her side the lead early in the first half.
When Allyson Swaby then continued her run into the box before steering a powerful header towards the top corner, Roma seemed to be flying towards another invaluable three points.
In the second half, Claudia Ciccotti made it 3-0 almost immediately - as her half-volley flew in via a touch from the far post.
Inter then grabbed one back to give themselves a way back into the match; only to see substitute Marija Banusic deliver an incredible overhead kick to restore the home side's three-goal advantage.
The visiting Nerazzurre added two further goals in the closing stages but, with the second of those coming in the 93rd minute, the result was never actually in grave risk.
"We let it get a bit exciting at the end - we need to be a little bit better at controlling things late in the second half," Ciccotti acknowledged.
"It was important to build on the Coppa Italia win and we did that, so we are happy."
Captain for the day in the absence of Elisa Bartoli, she added: "Wearing the armband for Elisa is a responsibility but it also gives you even more motivation to keep fighting through the tiredness and the tough moments."
See more photos from the game in our gallery!
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