While there were plenty of touching tributes from fans in the stands, Daniele De Rossi’s first visit to the Stadio Olimpico as an opponent was anything but hospitable. Before our beloved DDR had a chance to digest his awkward return to a place he called home for nearly 20 seasons, Roma put Genoa in their place, grabbing a two-goal lead within 20 minutes.
After taking advantage of a poor Genoa clearance in the 14th minute, Jan Ziolkowski did well to pluck the high-arching ball out of the air and fling
it back into the Genoa box—all while being pushed in the opposite direction—where it fell to Matíás Soulé. And with a clever left-footed finish, Roma were off to the races.
Manu Koné and Evan Ferguson followed that up with goals in the 19th and 31st minutes, respectively, while Koné had a second goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper during a scramble for a loose ball. Genoa would peel one back late in the second half, but thanks to today’s victory, Roma ends 2025 back in fourth place, one point ahead of Juventus.
Up next will be another home coming of sorts, as Gasperini faces his old club Atalanta on Saturday.
