LIKE a battalion of hungry gladiators, Roma are taking the Italian Serie A by storm.

The Giallorossi closed the gap on league leaders Inter-Milan to three points on Saturday after scoring two goals in three minutes to beat AC Milan 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Kaka opened the scoring in the 56th minute to seemingly put the visiting Milan on course to extend their 10-game unbeaten run in Serie A.

However, Roma substitutes Ludovic Giuly and Mirko Vucinic netted after 78 and 81 minutes to secure the three points for Roma, who have now won three consecutive top-flight games.

The result leaves Milan one point behind Fiorentina, who hosted Genoa this morning, in the race for the final Champions League qualifying spot.

With the precious points, Roma are now dreaming of snatching the league title from under the noses of Inter.

'The team still believes in it. We had to win tonight and we did so against a very good side,' said Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

'Our strength is the group of players we have. This was a great victory which gives us something more.'

Milan had the better of the early exchanges, but spurned several opportunities.

Roma soon worked their way into the game, with Brazilian winger Alessandro Mancini missing the target with a 25th-minute bicycle kick.

Milan tried to respond, but Kaka could only produce two weak headers on 26 and 38 minutes which Roma goalkeeper Doni had no problems with.

In the second half, however, Doni had little chance with Kaka's opener.

The Fifa World Player of the Year converted a Massimo Oddo cross with a powerful left-footed strike from inside the six-yard box.

Vucinic then came off the bench to replace Mancini, and was joined on the pitch six minutes later by Giuly who came on for David Pizarro.

DOMINATE

Clarence Seedorf had to be replaced with 18 minutes left due to a muscular injury, as Roma began to dominate.

The rewards finally came in the 78th minute, Giuly beating Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac to a cross and slotting the ball into the right side of the goal.

Three minutes later, Roma took the lead as Daniele De Rossi fed Vucinic, who fired into the net to the left of the advancing Kalac.

'The comeback today is proof that Roma are a great team, playing against Milan and reversing the result was not easy,' said match-winner Vucinic.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti was proud of his team for the win.

'There were some moments when Milan were in control of the match,' he admitted. 'After opening the score they could have doubled it.

'My players did well to continue and look for the victory. Often when you have the right attitude, you get your reward.

'We did well tonight and now perhaps Inter will feel a little pressure.'

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