After almost a decade on the Champions League sidelines, Roma made their triumphant return to Europe’s preeminent club competition earlier this fall. However, rather than taking the Champions League by storm, Roma’s performance has been somewhat scattered. Starting with their understandable, albeit underwhelming, draw away to Fenerbahçe, Roma ran out to a surprising two-goal lead against mighty Real Madrid, only to squander it at the death.
We can excuse the initial draw in Matchday 1 as a matter
of nerves, but there was no explaining away Roma’s performance against Madrid, where a 3-1 lead became a 4-3 defeat in the span of seven minutes late in the second half. The Giallorossi are, as always, a study in extremes. Still, despite Gian Piero Gasperini’s admonishment not to overlook any opponent in the Champions League, Roma made quick and easy work of Slovan Bratislava tonight at the Olimpico.
Starting in the 21st minute with a Mario Hermoso header, Roma kept the pressure on the beleaguered opponents, carrying a two-goal lead into the break after Nahuel Molina tapped in a Donyell Malen rebound in the 39th minute.
The capital club would add two more strikes in a 4-0 romp over Yaya Toure’s side, adding three crucial points in the chase for a spot in the Knockout Phase. We’ll have more on the match later this evening/tomorrow morning, but for now, enjoy another patented Gasperini goal fest!
