ROME (ITALPRESS) – Good first match for Daniele De Rossi’s Roma, who beat Hellas Verona 2-1 in the match valid for the twenty-first matchday of Serie A 2023/2024: the goals from Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Pellegrini were decisive. It begins with boos for the team, banners and pro-Mourinho chants, but also a warm welcome towards the former “Future Captain” returning to the Olimpico as coach. Important match for both, Hellas has a good approach to the match and tries to manage the ball, and then attempts to attack into the opponent’s half of the pitch. In the 8th minute the first chance goes to the Capitoline players who finish with Lukaku, but the La Scala rearguard opposes. De Rossi’s men grew as the minutes passed and, after creating a couple of chances, found the opening goal in the 19th minute with Romelu Lukaku who, supported by El Shaarawy, easily slipped past Montipò. There wasn’t even time for Verona to reorganize their ideas, as Roma scored the second goal in the 25th minute thanks to captain Lorenzo Pellegrini who, again with an assist from El Shaarawy, stopped the ball and unleashed a powerful shot under the crossbar.
The negative note of the first half for the Giallorossi was Spinazzola’s injury, who made way for Kristensen in the 28th minute; we return to the locker room with the score 2-0.
In the second half the Giallorossi still lead the challenge, even if in the 56th minute Folorunsho closed the gap, but the goal was not validated due to a foul by the midfielder on Karsdorp. Out comes Dybala who has gritted his teeth throughout the match, but then returns to the bench and his expression is not encouraging.
In the 64th minute Sacchi awards a penalty to Hellas for a handball by Llorente: Djuric appears on the spot, but misses by kicking to the stars. Baroni’s team didn’t give up and in the 76th minute managed to reopen the contest with a great goal from distance by Michael Folorunsho who mocked a not blameless Rui Patricio. Hellas’ attempts at the end did not bring the desired results, so the Romans defended the 2-1 lead and returned to success. By virtue of this result, Roma joins Bologna in seventh place with 32 points, while Verona remains in the relegation zone on 17.
– photo by Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).