ROMA v AC MILAN: TIME MACHINE

Roma v AC Milan is the present, but it was and is also very much the past. We have taken five pieces of the puzzle to compose our Time Machine:

3 JANUARY 1993: VICTORY WITH A MAN DOWN
Scoring and winning with a man down. AC Milan, Capello's reigning Italian champions, did it. The afternoon at the Stadio Olimpico began in the worst possible way, when Baresi shoved Bonacina on his way to goal, receiving a red card from Collina. Down to ten in just the 5th minute, without van Basten and Rijkaard, the Rossoneri still managed to lay down the law. The great defensive concentration did not silence the attack, and just before the half-hour mark Gullit came into his own, taming Tassotti's pass and volleying a wonderful right-footer into the corner that left Cervone with no chance. 1-0 in the first match of the new year. At the end of the championship came Scudetto - the second in a row - number 13.

6 FEBRUARY 1994: THE M FACTOR
This time it was raining at the Olimpico, making a poor surface. AC Milan returned as reigning Italian champions and league leaders. It was still the team of Capello's Invincibles, it was the season in which the defence made the difference - conceding just 15 goals in 34 matches - and Rossi kept a clean sheet for 929 minutes thanks to the 2-0 win in Rome. Boban returned to the pitch, and the opponents in the second half fielded Francesco Totti, still a young player. The goals bore the signatures of Massaro, who was able to turn Savićević's (very inspired) post into the net, and Maldini, who did well to beat the Giallorossi rearguard after a corner had been taken. In May, the Rossoneri will get their hands on Serie A and even the Champions League in a year to remember.

20 MARCH 2005: CRESPO & PIRLO IN THE SECOND HALF
Crespo's shot over Panucci was the staple of AC Milan's 1-0 lead, scored in the heart of the second half. It was a goal that resembled Shevchenko's but from the foot, again at Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in 2004. Hernan was enjoying a good period of form, having also recently decided the Champions League round of 16 by eliminating Manchester United. The former Panucci was the liability for the Giallorossi, one of his fouls caused the penalty for the final 2-0 - scored by Pirlo - and the sending off for two yellows that effectively ended the really intense challenge early. Another peremptory and prestigious success in the capital.

7 MAY 2011: TRICOLOUR DRAW
The most beautiful draw. Allegri's AC Milan, after a great ride, needed a point to officially become champions of Italy for the 18th time. The tension was palpable, shrouding the first half where Roma made themselves dangerous with Vučinić in particular; Abbiati was timely in saying no to him on goal. However, Boateng and Ibrahimović gave encouraging signs, in the second half Ambrosini replaced Gattuso and the Rossoneri grew: more dominance, more offensive actions. There were three things to remember: Robinho hitting the post, Boateng's touch just wide and Ibra's free kick repelled by Doni. Then the wait remained, and at full-time the Rossoneri celebration exploded everywhere: the 0-0 was enough, the Scudetto was red and black again.

29 OCTOBER 2011: HEADERS GALORE
It is the best and most prolific past match. On a Saturday of big matches, Roma v AC Milan preceded Inter v Juventus. Allegri's team are on top (tied) at 17, and it is important to try not to lose ground and collect precious points. It was the night of headers: four of the total of five goals were scored by Ibrahimović (double for 1-0 and 3-1), Burdisso (temporary 1-1) and Nesta (temporary 2-1). It was also the evening of former players, Aquilani giving assists and Cassano magic. In the second half there was a curious episode: Boateng, injured, went out and, heading towards the bench, mumbled something, the linesman signalled it to Damato who drew a red card. In the final, Bojan shortened the gap, which changed but did not change the victory: 3-2.

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