AS Roma extended their unbeaten run in the league to 16 games against Hellas Verona. Ranieri’s side took the lead early through Shomurodov and held on to secure a 1-0 victory.
After the 1-1 draw in the Derby della Capitale against Lazio, Roma were looking to continue their impressive run: despite 16 league games without defeat, the Giallorossi were still two points behind Lazio and the European places. To achieve this goal, Roma coach Claudio Ranieri made three changes, bringing Shomurodov, Baldanzi, and Cristante into the starting line-up. Dovbyk, Pellegrini, and Paredes took their places on the bench.
The visitors from Hellas were also looking to extend their run, with Paolo Zanetti’s side unbeaten in four league games following a 0-0 draw with Genoa. Zanetti therefore kept the same line-up that started the last league game.
Shomurodov scores after four minutes
The visitors had the first chance: former Hertha player Duda sent his striker Sarr into a one-on-one with Celik in the 3rd minute, but the Hellas striker hit the outside post and was offside – but Ranieri’s team knew how to respond. Just a minute later, Shomurodov was on hand after a ball from Soulé. After his teammate lobbed the ball over Montipo, the Roma striker was quickest to react and slotted past all the defenders to give his side a 1-0 lead.
After taking the lead, the home side remained the more active team, with Soulé coming close to extending the lead with an attempt into the near corner (16′). After that, Hellas hardly allowed anything into their own penalty area, so that chances were few and far between for both sides. In the 35th minute, the visitors had their next chance through Tchatchoua, who left Angelino in his wake. However, Mosquera was unable to convert his high ball in front of the five-meter box in a duel with Mancini. The Giallorossi went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Dovbyk comes into the game
As in the first half, Zanetti’s side caused the first problems in the Roma penalty area after the restart. Bernede tested Svilar in the 50th minute before the Roma keeper had to make a flying save against Mosquera. The home side then tried to counterattack, but as in many phases of the game, they often lacked precision with their final pass in the penalty area.
The home side then switched to cruise control, with the introduction of striker Dovbyk providing a little more danger. In the 73rd minute, Gladbach’s loan player Koné found some space on the edge of the penalty area and spotted the Ukrainian. However, his shot went a meter wide of the right post. In the closing stages, Hellas threw everything forward once again, but once again they lacked the final touch in front of goal, and so the Giallorossi held on to their 1-0 lead.
Roma extended their unbeaten run in the league to 17 games, but now face what is possibly their toughest task yet: a clash with league leaders Inter Milan. On Sunday, they will be looking to extend their own run and keep their sights set on the top spots in Europe. Hellas Verona also face Cagliari Calcio on Sunday (8:45 p.m.).
