Luciano Spalletti's side attacked from the outset and went ahead within a minute when captain Francesco Totti cleverly controlled and fired home Rodrigo Taddei's low cross.

The home side wasted no time in doubling their lead when Italy international Daniele De Rossi stuck out a foot to divert French defender Philippe Mexes' powerful volley past the hapless Francesco Toldo on five minutes.

Roma's dominance was total now and after Taddei and David Pizarro both shot just wide, midfielder Simone Perrotta put the Giallorossi three up after 16 minutes.

Romania defender Cristian Chivu brilliantly picked out Perrotta and the Italian international rolled the ball clinically past Toldo to continue the home side's dream start.

But their joy did not last long as Inter pulled a goal back almost straight away.

Argentinian striker Hernan Crespo intercepted an awful Pizarro back-pass, before taking the ball round Roma keeper Alexander Doni and firing into the empty net.

The goal silenced the Olympic Stadium for a few minutes and Inter looked as if they may get back into the game.

Luis Figo sent a rasping drive against the post and had another effort well-saved by Doni.

But Roma kept their cool and soon restored their three goal advantage when Mancini shot past a badly-positioned Toldo following Christian Panucci's cross.

After the break, Panucci was quickly involved again as Roma went 5-1 up on 54 minutes.

The experienced defender beat Toldo with a powerful header after Pizarro's cross and the tie looked to be out of Inter's reach, despite next week's away leg at the San Siro.

Nevertheless, the Italian champions provided another twist as Crespo scored his second of the night just two minutes after Roma's fifth goal.

The Argentinian rose at the far post to head Maicon's cross beyond Doni and give the Milanese hope for the second leg.

Despite that goal, Roma continued to dominate and missed several good chances to put the game out of Inter's reach.

Totti, Mancini, Taddei and Pizarro were all off target as the home side pressed for a sixth goal.

And with two minutes left on the clock, they got it.

Toldo could only parry Totti's stinging free-kick and Panucci blasted home the rebound to send the home fans wild and shatter Inter's domestic double aspirations.