28 August 2006, by Sean Gillen

Figo seals Supercup win in thriller

Roma 3-4 Inter Milan

Portuguese winger Luis Figo scored the winning goal as Inter came from 3-0 down to defeat Roma and lift the Italian Supercup. Figo’s sublime free-kick four minutes into extra time sealed a remarkable comeback from the Nerazurri, and he later admitted that the expectations have risen at the San Siro.

“People always want more and that’s a good thing, as the fans push the players to achieve and keep their motivation high,” he told reporters after the game.

Roma stormed into an early lead, with Mancini taking advantage of some woeful defending to put his side ahead after 13 minutes. Inter’s defence struggled to cope with their opponents’ one-touch passing, and two goals from midfielder Alberto Aquilani saw Roma three goals up in the 34th minute.

French midfielder Patrick Vieira began the revival when he glanced in a Figo corner in the last minute of the first half. New signing Hernan Crespo pulled another goal back when he headed in a Dejan Stankovic cross, and Vieira tapped in to equalise with 15 minutes left of normal time.

It was left to Figo to win the match as the Portuguese superstar curled his free-kick into the far corner, putting the seal on a sensational comeback. Roma defender Cristian Chivu was sent off shortly after for sarcastically applauding the referee after he brought down Figo.

The win comes as Inter prepare for the defence of their Serie A title, which was awarded to them in the aftermath of the Italian match-fixing scandal, and Figo insists that the team will work hard to win the Scudetto.

“Nothing is certain in football. We have to work hard and run a little faster to win the title, but this is true in every League in the world.”