Thiago Motta won the battle of the two most promising young coaches in Serie A as Bologna thumped Daniele De Rossi’s Roma 3-1. Fascinating scenes at the Stadio Olimpico saw Rossoblu take a decisive step to secure their first top-flight finish in the top flight in the 21st century.
Perhaps complacency got the better of Roma after a sensational Europa League quarter-final triumph against Milan. However, it takes nothing away from Bologna’s outstanding performance in the capital, resulting in their first league double over Giallorossi since 1966/67.
Oussama El Azzouzi opened the floodgate with an incredible acrobatic finish in the 14th minute before sought-after youngster Joshua Zirkzee doubled the visitors’ lead on the stroke of halftime, capping off a superb team effort.
Roma pulled one back through substitute Sardar Azmoun early in the second half. However, Alexis Saelemaekers’ cheeky lob to make it 3-1 for Bologna condemned the hosts to only their second home loss under De Rossi as we look at our player ratings.
Roma (4-3-3)
Mile Svilar – 3.5
It’s not like he carried all the blame for conceding three times in one game for only the second time in De Rossi’s era, but all three of Bologna’s shots on target ended up in the back of the net.
Angelino – 3
De Rossi had no choice but to sub him off early in the second half after Dan Ndoye tore him to pieces in virtually every one-on-one on both ends of the pitch.
Diego Llorente – 4.5
Perhaps fatigue took its toll on the Spaniard following an impeccable showing against Milan, as he failed to show the same resilience and energy.
Gianluca Mancini – 4
Outperformed by his center-back colleague, the Roma hero against Milan had the misfortune to guard an inspired Zirkzee, losing virtually every head-to-head battle.
Zeki Celik – 3.5
As if receiving a silly red card on Thursday wasn’t a sign of trouble, today’s game was a testament to the Turk’s form decline and attacking shortcomings.
Leandro Paredes – 5.5
Not nearly as influential as he was against Milan, the Argentine struggled to gain a foothold in the game and missed Roma’s best chance in the first half.
Bryan Cristante – 5.5
With Roma forced to chase the deficit, the Italian found himself in uncharted territory, forced to participate more in the final third, which has never been his strong suit.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 6
Despite picking out Azmoun with a delightful cross, the captain wasn’t at his best today by any stretch of the imagination.
Paulo Dybala – 6.5
Though the diminutive forward failed to get his name on the board, his technical brilliance and superb ball control were on display even when his teammates couldn’t keep up with him.
Stephan El Shaarawy – 6
The game could’ve gone the other way had he converted a glorious chance at 0-0 instead of skying the ball over the crossbar from point-blank range.
Tammy Abraham – 5
It wasn’t a memorable first Serie A start for the Englishman since returning from a long-term injury.
Substitutes
Sardar Azmoun – 7
Rick Karsdorp – 6
Leonardo Spinazzola – 6.5
Tommaso Baldanzi – 6
Joao Costa – N/A
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