Roma once again demonstrated their strength at the Olympic Stadium, achieving a 2-0 victory over Genoa on matchday seven of Serie A. The victory, which was achieved despite numerous casualties and the recent defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League, keeps the Italian team two points behind the leader Inter.
The match opened with the presence of Daniele DeRossi, who returned to the stadium to receive a standing ovation from the fans. The presence of the former captain did not alter the determination of Roma, who were implacable against Genoa. The absence of key players such as Malen, Dybala, ManuKoné, Cristante and goalkeeper Svilar forced the coach to adjust his lineup, but the squad found its rhythm after half an hour of the match. The first minutes were an exchange of opportunities, with Genoa equalizing the score in the 50th minute thanks to a header from Leonardo Balerdi after a corner. Roma's response came immediately with a shot from outside the area by Stephan ElShaarawy that hit the crossbar.
The second half was characterized by the forcefulness of the defense and the effectiveness of the attack. Santiago Castro, who arrived this season from Bologna, scored his first goal with the Giallorossa shirt in the 68th minute after a corner that allowed him to overcome the Genoa defense and finish with a masterful touch. Castro's goal sealed the victory and left the team with an advantage that was maintained until the end of the match. In addition, the young right back Emanuel Lulli, 19, made his debut and scored his first professional goal in the 69th minute, taking advantage of a shot by Matías Soulé that the defender could not stop.
The result leaves Roma with 18 points, placing them two points behind Inter, who lead the table after their victory at Bologna. Genoa, for its part, remains in the relegation zone with only four points, while Genoa and Roma continue to compete for position in the table. The match was attended by 52,539 spectators, reflecting the great interest of Roman fans in their team's performance.
With the victory, Roma consolidates its position at the top of the table and maintains the hope of continuing to compete for European qualification positions. The next challenge will be the confrontation against Inter, where the team must continue to demonstrate its ability to overcome rivals and close the gap with the leader.