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IN IT GOES: Inter Milan's goalkeeper Julio Cesar is beaten by Daniele de Rossi's penalty at the San Siro Stadium. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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MILAN - IT WAS sweet revenge for AS Roma on Sunday when they lifted Italy's Super Cup.
Daniele de Rossi's second-half penalty gave them a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the curtain-raiser to the Italian league season.
Twelve months ago, Roma led 3-0, only to lose 3-4 in extra time.
The only goal of Sunday's game came in the 78th minute, when Nicolas Burdisso brought down Francesco Totti in the penalty box.
De Rossi stepped up to coolly slot the ball past Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
'To be here in Milan and win two consecutive finals is, of course, very satisfying,' said Roma skipper Totti, who also led his team to the Italian Cup at the San Siro in May.
'Today, we proved that we are a strong and competitive squad who can challenge anyone.
'When I was brought down, I felt a twinge in my thigh muscle and didn't feel quite right.
'There was no point risking it by taking the penalty, and I knew de Rossi could do a great job.'
Cristian Chivu was on the losing side against his former teammates, but insisted that Inter will shrug off the loss.
'It is just a defeat,' said the defender.
'I know it was the Super Cup, but it was the first official match of the campaign, so we're not all that upset.'
Inter surprisingly left Brazilian striker Adriano out of the team, while Douglas Maicon was suspended.
For Roma, fullback Christian Panucci played in the middle of the defence due to an injury crisis.
Inter's best chances fell to Ludovic Giuly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but they were not taken, and last season's SerieA champions paid the price.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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