No Eto'o equals no hope for Inter at Roma
A Roma versus Inter match in the Coppa Italia is no rarity. This is the seventh season in a row that they have clashed in the cup, with five of the previous six collisions coming in the final. Last season, Inter completed a leg of their treble with victory in this competition, but in some ways this is bigger.
Both giants, last year's top two, enter the semi-final tie at the Stadio Olimpico following disastrous results at the weekend. Inter lost 2-0 at struggling Parma to effectively end their chances of a sixth straight title, while Roma's defeat to Palermo all but destroyed their hopes of a top-four finish.
Therefore, this is the only shot at silverware for two clubs that have grown used to success in recent campaigns, often finding themselves as the strongest sides in Italy since the 2006 Calciopoli scandal, and despite Inter progressing in four of the last six cup encounters, Roma are [2.52] favourites.
Home advantage is obviously a factor in that pricing, though Inter won the trophy in the capital last May to show that it doesn't count for everything, so perhaps more significant to the Nerazzurri's position as [3.15] outsiders is the fact that top goalscorer Samuel Eto'o will be missing due to injury.
The Cameroonian almost always impresses even when his team-mates struggle and his absence is a major blow as Inter fight to avoid the indignity of seeing their challenge in three separate tournaments all ended within the space of seven days.
Roma beat them at the Olimpico in September and were scuppered by Nicolas Burdisso's sending off when conquered 5-3 at the San Siro in February, so with Leonardo's men suffering four defeats in five and conceding 12 in the process, Roma are the more likely winners.
Roma v Inter
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Live on Betfair Live Video
Over 2.5 goals is available at a tempting [1.87], while Giallorossi captain Francesco Totti is [3.0] to add to his seven goals in five games...
Published: 19 Apr 2011
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