De Rossi penalty gives Roma Super Cup

Roma´s forwards and captain Francesco Totti holds the

      MILAN (AFP) - Daniele de Rossi's second half penalty gave Roma a 1-0 win over Inter Milan on Sunday in the Italian Super Cup bringing revenge for the defeat they suffered against the same opponents last season.

      Twelve months ago, Roma led 3-0 only to lose 4-3 in extra-time.

      The only goal of Sunday's game came in the 78th minute when Nicolas Burdisso brought down Francesco Totti in the box and de Rossi stepped up to coolly slot into the corner past keeper Julio Cesar.

      "To be here in Milan and win two consecutive finals is of course very satisfying, especially as today we proved that we are a strong and competitive squad who can challenge anyone," said Roma skipper Totti who also led his team to the Italian Cup at the San Siro in May.

      "When I was brought down I felt a twinge in my thigh muscle and didnt 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 were not all that upset."

      Inter had surprisingly left Brazilian striker Adriano out of the team while Douglas Maicon was suspended.

      For Roma, Christian Panucci was a makeshift centre-back due to an injury crisis.

      Inter should have take the lead after just six minutes but French international Ludovic Giuly volleyed over an open goal from Max Tonettos cross.

      Roma had a penalty appeal turned down when Totti exchanged passes with Giuly and the Frenchman was fouled by Marco Materazzi while Zlatan Ibrahimovic went close for Inter.

      Inter's Suazo saw a drive saved by Doni early in the second half but Roma kept pressing and the champions were forced to take off Olivier Dacourt to be replaced by veteran Luis Figo.

      Materazzi was booked for a foul on Totti before Figo almost scored only to be denied by Doni.