Roma bounced back from a midweek Serie A fiasco with a morale-bolstering 2-0 home triumph over promoted Frosinone on Sunday night. It wasn’t their best performance by any means, but they’ll take the victory any day of the week.
After a dreadful 4-1 defeat at Genoa on Thursday, Jose Mourinho lamented his poor treatment by Roma fans in the build-up to this fixture. While his future at the Stadio Olimpico isn’t in doubt yet, the Portuguese manager knew another disappointing result would complicate his life in the capital.
Roma started the game in accordance with that premise. However, clear-cut chances were at a premium. Mourinho needed a hero to provide a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, and Romelu Lukaku showed up again. The Belgian striker scored for the fourth time in his last five appearances to put Giallorossi in front at the halfway stage of the first half.
However, Roma failed to entertain the home crowd. Mourinho’s conservative approach saw the hosts settle for a slender lead and largely relinquish their attacking ambitions. A mere four shots on target probably best illustrate another dismal attacking performance from the former Europa Conference League winners.
Despite a relatively mediocre showing, Roma scored another goal as Paulo Dybala chipped in with another assist after setting up Lukaku for the opener. He whipped in a phenomenal cross from the free-kick, picking out Lorenzo Pellegrini on the back post. The captain showed his scoring prowess with a top-class finish.
Let’s look at our player ratings.
Roma (3-4-2-1)
Rui Patricio – 6
With Frosinone failing to produce a single shot on target, collecting crosses and kicking the ball back into play were his only tasks tonight.
Gianluca Mancini – 7
He knew the importance of keeping a clean sheet after being mauled by Genoa and acted accordingly. He plugged every hole at the back, preventing Frosinone forwards from threatening Patricio’s goal.
Bryan Cristante – 7.5
Mourinho’s utility man was dependable, as he has been since the start of the new campaign. Despite being deployed out of position, the Italy international held up his end of the bargain defensively. Roma’s bid to build from the back benefitted from his new role.
Evan Ndicka – 7
After a nightmarish performance against Genoa, the Roma newcomer delivered a much better display this evening. While there’s room for improvement in terms of passing and positioning, his tackles and aerial challenges were spot on.
Rick Karsdorp – 6.5
Back to the starting lineup at the expense of Rasmus Kristensen, the Dutchman showed great desire to impress Mourinho. But despite several decent defensive tackles, he struggled to do anything noteworthy on the opposition’s half.
Edoardo Bove – 6.5
Occasional lapses of concentration take nothing away from the youngster’s spirited showing. His decision-making let him down in some crucial moments, but there’s still time for the 21-year-old to improve. His work ratio made up for some poor choices.
Leandro Paredes – 6
Bove’s sporadic mistakes could be put down to his young age, but the experienced Argentine midfielder has no excuse. Once Renato Sanches returns from injury, he’ll probably shift to the bench unless he takes his game to the next level soon.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 7
Alongside Dybala, the Roma captain was the most creative player tonight. His passing range and lucidity kept the home side’s attack ticking over in a physically demanding match. The goal only served to put the icing on the cake.
Leonardo Spinazzola – 6.5
The Italian’s offensive proclivities saw Roma focus a vast majority of their attacks on the left flank. Though there wasn’t an end product, the full-back worked his socks off on both ends of the field, performing far better than his counterpart on the right.
Paulo Dybala – 7.5
The diminutive magician was the mastermind behind Roma’s win. His pair of assists settled a keenly-contested affair in the capital and probably saved Mourinho’s skin.
Romelu Lukaku – 7
His critics won’t be pleased with tonight’s performance as the towering striker continues to defy the skepticism surrounding his late arrival. He added to his ever-growing tally from the only scoring opportunity and won almost every duel against his markers.
Substitutes
Rasmus Kristensen – 6
Match commentators had no reason to mention his name since coming on.
Houssem Aouar – N/A
Sardar Azmoun – N/A
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