New Delhi: A fine team move in the first half resulted in a well-taken goal by Brazilian wingback Cicinho to put the Giallorossi in front at the Olimpico, with Mirko Vucinic and Julio Baptista adding further goals to make it 3-0 to Roma against Genoa.
A battle of European proportions ensued this weekend in Rome between two in form teams. Sunday’s encounter between Roma and Genoa in the Eternal City was a clash between two sides looking to finish in the top four of the Italian league, thereby qualifying for Champions League football next term.
Roma were hoping to cut the three-point gap to fourth-placed Genoa, who were placed in the last Champions League qualifying spot, but Diego Milito and company certainly did not come to Rome in search of anything less than a win.
First Half
The game got underway at the Olimpico, with both sides keen to make their mark on the encounter in the fight for fourth place. In the third minute Genoa had a chance in attack, but Thiago Motta’s shot went disappointingly high over the cross bar.
Two minutes later Roma were on the attack, and after a cross that was flicked into the box, Simone Perrotta attempted an acrobatic effort that almost worked out, as his shot went over the bar by a few metres.
On 8 minutes the ball was back in Roma’s half, and a corner almost resulted in a goal for Genoa, but Biava’s header went just wide of the post. The return of captain Francesco Totti galvanized the Giallorossi, and the passing when pushing forward was of an impressive quality.
There was a constant back and forth between the teams, with chances falling to both sides in Rome. In the 13th minute Diego Milito dribbled his way into the box before launching a dangerous cross towards Jankovic, but the home side cleared the ball well.
In the 18th minute Totti found space for a shot after a free kick set up, but a defender slowed his effort down before Rubinho easily stopped the ball. The game became slightly more aggressive at this point, with both sets of players taking a more physical approach, earning Giuseppe Sculli the first yellow card of the game.
In the 26th minute a wonderful team move from the Giallorossi resulted in the opening goal of the game. Cicinho began a move at the back, which passed through three other players before a cross from Perrotta found the onrushing Brazilian wingback who slotted the ball in on the volley.
Unfortunately for the Brazilian goal scorer, soon after breaking the deadlock, he collapsed onto the pitch in pain without being challenged and was forced to substitute off for Marco Motta. In the 34th minute Vucinic came close to extending Roma’s lead, but the Montenegrin’s shot was well saved by Rubinho. A minute later Roma went close again, but Rubinho saved Perrotta’s finish once again.
In the 39th minute Totti attempted a long range effort, but the shot was not accurate enough and the ball slipped wide of the target. The game was still being played at a fast pace at this stage, with the Roma fans becoming louder as the match progressed.
The game continued to become more aggressive, and the Genoa coach Gasperini was sent off for protests shortly before the half time break. A minute before half time Roma had a final attack, but Daniele De Rossi’s attempt at goal was well blocked by the Genoa defence, ushering in the break.
Second Half
The game restarted with Roma scoring another stunning goal after only two minutes back on the pitch. A fantastic run from De Rossi which took him through his defensive line all the way to the Genoa box saw him launch a fine cross that Vucinic rifled in with a great left foot volley.
Roma continued to apply pressure after the goal, as a two-goal cushion and a crowd that was full of praise boosted their confidence. In the 54th minute Roma were rocked by a sending off, as Taddei was given a second yellow card and his marching orders.
The sending off gave Genoa some hope, and they suddenly found themselves attacking with more fervour and vigour than the first half.
A number of chances fell their way at this stage, but Roma keeper Doni did very well to marshal the Giallorossi defence and save them on a number of occasions, including one where the ball seemed destined to bulge the back of the net.
In a counter attack for the home side, defender Philippe Mexes went up for a challenge with Genoa keeper Rubinho, hurting the stopper in the process and forcing him to leave the pitch for the day.
In the 66th minute a great team move from the visitors almost allowed them to cut the deficit, but Thiago Motta’s finish was deflected over the bar. A minute later Sculli had a shot from distance turned out for a corner, with Genoa making their intentions know, but the Italian was soon disappointed as he received his second booking and was sent to the change rooms early, leaving both teams with ten men on the pitch.
In the 71st minute a great cross found Baptista in the box, but Thiago Motta put him off and his header went wide of the goal. Milito was having an uncharacteristically quiet game in attack for the Rossoblu, and the result seemed to be too much for the visitors to overturn with time quickly running out. In the 74th minute Baptista dribbled into the box before earning a corner for his efforts. The game was winding down, and Totti was substituted off to roaring applause and a standing ovation from the Roma faithful.
In the 81st minute Roma earned a free kick on the edge of the area, with Baptista’s strike cannoning over the intended target. Roma were still not out of the woods at this stage of the game, as they waited patiently for the final whistle.
In the 85th minute Jankovic had a cracker of a shot denied by a diving Doni, keeping a well deserved clean sheet for his efforts on the day. After a few minutes of injury time Julio Baptista made it 3-0 for the Giallorossi with a well taken shot into the top corner of the goal, giving Roma a comfortable three-goal win against Genoa, bringing them one step closer to fourth place.
ROMA 3–0 GENOA
GOALS: Cicinho 26’, Vucinic 47’, Baptista 92' (Roma)
ROMA: Doni, Cicinho (Motta 31’), Mexes, Juan, Tonetto, Taddei, De Rossi, Brighi, Perrotta, Totti (Aquilani 78’), Vucinic (Baptista 60’).
GENOA: Rubinho (Scarpi 62’), Biava, Ferrari, Bocchetti (Palladino 56’), Criscito, Vanden Borre (Milanetto 46’), Thiago, Juric, Sculli, Milito, Jankovic.
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