Roma recovers to beat 2nd-division Lecce 3-1 in Italian Cup

ROME (AP) — Roma recovered from an early deficit to beat second-division Lecce 3-1 on Thursday and attain the Italian Cup quarterfinals.

José Mourinho’s facet will face his former staff Inter Milan — which he led to the treble of Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Champions League in 2010.

Tammy Abraham scored one aim and had a hand in Roma’s others for Marash Kumbulla and Eldor Shomurodov. Arturo Calabresi had netted a shock opener for Lecce, the one staff exterior Serie A to make it to the spherical of 16.

Lecce midfielder Mario Gargiulo was despatched off within the 62nd minute following two bookings in fast succession.

Mourinho has returned to San Siro solely twice as coach since leaving Inter, and each time had been towards AC Milan.

“I don’t understand how I’ll really feel. I've to arrange myself emotionally as I did for the match in Rome towards Inter: put together myself emotionally and check out to not have feelings,” Mourinho stated. “I returned to San Siro to play towards Milan they usually insulted me in each means potential. The followers received’t try this this time. I’ll go there with the intention clearly to do my half with my Roma and definitely the Inter followers will do their half for his or her staff, their gamers, their coach — which isn't me ... however individuals don’t neglect.”

Regardless of the distinction at school between the 2 sides, Mourinho fielded an virtually full-strength staff — maybe cautious of the potential for the match going to further time, as a number of of the cup video games had finished over the previous two weeks.

However Lecce took the lead within the 14th minute when Calabresi headed in a nook. The aim was initially dominated out for offside however was awarded on video evaluate.

It took Roma till 5 minutes earlier than halftime to stage. Abraham nodded on a nook and Kumbulla headed it in at far publish.

Roma virtually took the lead instantly after the break however Lecce substitute goalkeeper Gabriel — who had come on for the injured Marco Bleve within the first half — did properly to fingertip Nicolò Zaniolo’s effort onto the precise publish.

Roma's Eldor Shomurodov, middle, is cheered by teammates Roma's Tammy Abraham, left, and Roma's Henrikh Mkhitaryan after scoring through the Italian Cup soccer match between Roma and Lecce at Rome's Olympic stadium, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022.

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The house facet did go in entrance eight minutes later when Abraham gathered the ball along with his again to aim and fired into the underside left nook.

Any likelihood Lecce had of getting again into the match all however evaporated when Gargiulo was proven two yellow playing cards in as many minutes.

And Roma sealed the match 9 minutes from time. Abraham discovered Henrikh Mkhitaryan with a pleasant lengthy ball and the previous Manchester United participant did even higher to manage the ball and flick it on for Shomurodov to race ahead and place previous Gabriel.

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