As Roma beat promoted Frosinone Calcio 2-0 to record their second win of the current season – a treble that would probably be categorised as a “working victory”.
After losing 4-1 to Genoa and starting with just five points from six games, AS Roma were under pressure early on against Frosinone Calcio. On the sidelines at the promoted side was also an old acquaintance in Eusebio di Francesco – with AS the had reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2018, but had failed there to Liverpool FC.
Roma made their first attacking appearance after five minutes but Lukaku’s delivery to Dybala was too sloppy, as was the Argentine’s pass to Spinazzola just a minute later (6). As the game progressed, the visitors from Frosinone got into the game better – and had their first chance: a low cross was cleared by substitute defender Cristante (11th).
The next chance of the game also went to the Giallazzurri: Ndicka misjudged a long ball, the German-Albanian Cuni was on the spot and got around Rui Patricio, but only hit the outside of the net (18th). A minute later the visitors had to replace their experienced centre-back Romagnoli due to injury – a change from a five-man to a four-man defence followed.
Lukaku with the lead
The Romans took advantage of the initial adjustment problems: Dybala forwarded a pass to Lukaku, who converted from eleven metres (21.). However, the goal did not seem to have given José Mourinho’s team any self-confidence, as Frosinone dominated the game to some extent. Cuni again missed the equaliser in the 26th minute.
After the break, Rome continued to focus on counterattacks. It became dangerous for the first time after Monteresi almost put an attempted clearance into his own net (57th). Three minutes later Dybala served Bove, who failed to beat the visiting goalkeeper Turati (60th).
Pellegrini increases to 2:0
The visitors’ best attacking move of the second half came in the 68th minute when Mazzitelli failed to find a taker in the middle after a beautiful pass from Soulé. Roma defended compactly and hardly allowed anything to happen, but apart from Bove’s shot (83rd) they were hardly dangerous – until the 83rd minute, when Pellegrini volleyed home Dybala’s free-kick (83rd).
The fact that not only players but also the referee can be susceptible to cramp later in the game was also shown in this match: After a collision with Aouar, Matteo Marchetti suddenly slumped to the ground – but the Frenchman was the first responder and helped the referee back to his feet. From a sporting point of view, nothing more happened.