Roma registered a key victory by beating Empoli 4-2 at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in what was a thrilling contest. Jose Mourinho’s started brilliantly with Tammy Abraham scoring two goals within nine minutes. Just after that, Sergio Oliveira scored Roma’s third before Nicolo Zaniolo added a fourth.
Empoli did manage to attack in the second half and netted twice thanks to Andrea Pinamonti and Nedim Bajrami.
It was a dominant display from the Giallorossi who netted four goals in an away league fixture for a third time this season.
After the win, Roma are sixth in the Serie A table while Empoli are 12th.
Starting XIs: Zaniolo, Mkhitaryan back; Empoli make six changes
Roma made four changes from their victory over Lecce in Coppa Italia. Chris Smalling and Marash Kumbulla started in a back-three with Gianluca Mancini and Jordan Veretout benched. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zanilo were in the lineup while Felix Afena-Gyan and Carles Perez were on the bench.
Empoli made six changes from their Coppa Italia defeat to Inter. Guglielmo Vicario was back between the sticks, replacing Jacopo Furlan. Arlian Ismaijli and Lorenzo Tonelli started in the heart of the defense in place of Mattia Viti and Simone Romagnoli. In midfield, Samuele Ricci was in the XI ahead of Leo Stulac while Nedim Bajrami and Liam Henderson started in place of Kristjan Asllani and Patrick Cutrone.
Abraham Nets Two as Roma go 4-0 up in the First Half
The first half started with Empoli being on the attack as they had a few attempts on goal. However, they were unable to make the most out of it. Abraham took a few shots on goal and finally opened the scoring for Roma in the 24th minute after cashing in on a pass from Oliveira. The striker netted his second of the match and 17th of the season from a corner.
Things kept getting better for Roma as Oliveira’s right-footed shot found the back of the net. This meant that the Portuguese scored in his first two league fixtures. Just minutes later, Zaniolo added a fourth for the visitors after receiving a pass from Mkhitaryan. Roma had a good chance to go 5-0 up but Roger Ibanez’s header was off target.
Empoli Pull Two Back
Roma were keen on adding to their four-goal lead and had a few shots on target early in the second half. However, they could not find the net. Empoli were looking to narrow the Giallorossi’s lead and eventually pulled one back in the 55th minute thanks to Pinamonti who met Filippo Bandinelli’s cross with a left-footed shot.
The Azzurri were no longer on the back foot and started to trouble the Roma backline with Henderson and Bajrami having a few shots on goal. The latter scored Empoli’s second in the 72nd minute with Henderson providing the assist.
Both teams tried to find the net during the remainder of the match but were unable to do so. Roma eventually managed to pull off a 4-2 win.
What Next for Roma and Empoli
Roma’s next fixture is against Genoa on February 6 while Empoli have a tough away match against Bologna.
MATCH SCORECARD
January 23, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Matchday 23
EMPOLI- ROMA: 2-4
SCORERS: 24′ Abraham (R), 33′ Abraham (R), 35′ Oliveira (R), 37′ Zaniolo (R), 55′ Pinamonti (E), 72′ Bajrami (E)
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EMPOLI (4-3-2-1): Vicario, Fiamozzi, Ismaijli, Tonelli, Marchizza, Zurkowski, Ricci, Bandinelli, Bajrami, Henderson, Pinamonti Coach: Andreazzoli |
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ROMA (3-4-1-2): Patricio, Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez, Karsdorp, Cristante, Oliveira, Maitland-Niles, Mkhitaryan, Zaniolo, Abraham Coach: Mourinho |
REFEREE: Fabbri
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Mancini (R), Tonelli (E), Benassi (E), Cristante (R) ; Added Time: 1st Half 3′, 2nd Half 4′