If Roma thought their disastrous start to the new Serie A campaign couldn’t go more wrong, a rampant Genoa side convinced them otherwise. The Griffins wiped the floor with Giallorossi at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, steamrolling to an overwhelming 4-1 victory.
After conceding a late equalizer in a gut-wrenching 1-1 draw against Torino at the weekend, Roma hoped to get back on track against Genoa. However, after taking down Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico earlier in the season, Alberto Gilardino’s team looked unfazed by their visitors’ stature.
Albert Gudmundsson got Genoa off to a perfect start, smashing home a well-driven low shot only five minutes into the game after exchanging a one-two with ex-Roma star Kevin Strootman. Roma replied within 17 minutes through talismanic midfielder Bryan Cristante, who headed home Leonardo Spinazzola’s teasing cross.
But Roma went into the break on the back foot as Mateo Retegui hammered a thunderous half-volley past Rui Patricio. Despite Jose Mourinho’s attempt to reinvigorate his side by fielding all of his attackers, Genoa humiliated Giallorossi in the second half.
When it looked like Roma had the initiative, Morten Thorsby found himself unmarked inside the six-yard box after a corner-kick delivery and had no problems heading the ball behind Patricio’s back. Only five minutes since coming on, Milan loanee Junior Messias made the crowd go wild with a routine finish from point blank.
Roma (3-5-2)
Rui Patricio –
He might have conceded from every shot on target, but there was absolutely nothing he could’ve done to stop Genoa’s second and third. Truth be told, he should’ve reacted better to Gudmundsson’s strike.
Gianluca Mancini – 5.5
His positioning wasn’t as good as it was in some recent matches. Retegui slipped his mark for Genoa’s second. If it’s any consolation, his passing was at a high level again.
Diego Llorente – 5
The Spaniard had a shaky start to the game. After looking a little rusty in the early goings, he picked up an injury midway through the first half and had to walk off.
Evan Ndicka – 3.5
Another Roma defender who seemed clumsy tonight – he was slow to close down Gudmundsson for the opening goal. It’s still early in the season to run out of steam, but it was the case with the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt man at Luigi Ferraris.
Leonardo Spinazzola – 7
His trademark run down the left flank and an inch-perfect delivery led to Roma’s first-half equalizer. There’s hardly a better way to serve your teammate than what he did to connect Cristante with the goal.
Leandro Paredes – 4
The Argentine playmaker was nervous from the get-go. But other than several reckless challenges, the underperforming star failed to channel frustration in the proper manner. He did nothing noteworthy in the front third.
Bryan Cristante – 6.5
While Mourinho cannot be happy about Paredes’ performance, his most trusted ally lived up to expectations. The tireless Italian midfielder worked his socks off, and a free header was a fitting reward for his superb showing in Liguria.
Rasmus Kristensen – 6
Like Spinazzola on the opposite flank, the Denmark international was an omnipresent figure in the attacking third, but he wasn’t as nearly impactful as his companion. His crosses were wayward at times, and he couldn’t beat his marker one-on-one.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 5.5
Back to the starting lineup after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the captain tried to impact the game with continuous movement off the ball and clever passes. However, this wasn’t his day.
Paulo Dybala – 5
By his high standards, it was a disappointing night for the diminutive forward.
Romelu Lukaku – 5
Despite being embroiled in a constant tussle with two Genoa center-backs, the Belgian couldn’t turn his face to goal, let alone make an attempt to beat Josep Martinez. The only time he had a chance to score, he converted it, but he was offside.
Substitutes
Edoardo Bove – 6
The youngster delivered another energetic performance, but he had nothing to show for it.
Andrea Belotti – 4
Mourinho’s idea was to shake things up with Il Gallo’s introduction after halftime, but the former Torino frontman had a disastrous evening.
Houssem Aouar – N/A
Sardar Azmoun – N/A
Stephan El Shaarawy – N/A
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