Roma cruised to a 2-0 win against Slavia Prague at the Stadio Stadio Olimpico to maintain their 100% winning streak in UEFA Europa League Group G. Two goals within the opening 16 minutes helped I Giallorossi on their way to a fifth successive win in all competitions. Edoardo Bove led the charge with a well-taken first and Lukaku fired in the second to stretch his scoring streak in the Europa League to 14 consecutive matches.
In response, Slavia Prague showed moments of quality to get back into the contest. But two big saves from Mile Svilar late in the first half and some solid Roma defending prevented any response from the Red and Whites.
Bove and Lukaku Not Hanging Around With Blistering Start
Roma took their positive form of four consecutive wins straight into the clash with Slavia Prague and were off the mark after just 45 seconds. Stephan El Shaarawy was the instigator as he dispossessed Tomáš Holeš in a dangerous area and teed up Edoardo Bove, who whipped in a curling effort into the top corner from the edge of the area.
After the whirlwind start for I Giallorossi, the game settled into a more calm rhythm until Roma pushed forward again and netted a quickfire second. El Shaarawy provided again with a driving run and through ball to Romelu Lukaku, who thumped his third Europa League goal of the campaign high into the net from a tight angle, giving Aleš Mandous no chance of saving.
Direct play was the clear tactic for Roma whilst in possession in the final third and Bove looked to get into dangerous areas with another positive run at the Slavia Prague defence but the 21-year-old was eventually repelled.
When Slavia Prague worked themselves into promising positions, Roma’s defence were initially quick to shut down any attempts on goal in order to preserve their two-goal advantage. But I Giallorossi rode their luck at times late in the half as Oscar Dorley and Mick van Buren forced Mile Svilar into action.
Rock Solid Roma Ride Prague Response
After the break, Slavia Prague came out with much more urgency to try and reduce the deficit. Time and time again though, Roma’s backline comfortably dealt with any balls into the box with ease.
With the defensive foundations firmly in place, Roma had a licence to push on for a potentially decisive third goal. Lukaku nearly added to his individual tally with a driving run from the right flank and pulled his resulting shot inches wide of the post.
El Shaarawy then nearly got a goal for himself to add to his two assists with a dipping first-time strike from 20 yards that thumped the crossbar.
Giallorossi Grip On to Clean Sheet
In the closing stages, Roma continued to frustrate Slavia Prague for large spells. The Czech side did provide Giallorossi with the occasional scare, particularly when Ivan Schranz raced through on goal, but the forward couldn’t hold his composure and lashed his shot wildly over the crossbar.
There was almost time for a Roma third in injury time after Andrea Belotti chased down a long ball over the Slavia Prague defence and fired a powerful shot straight at Aleš Mandous.
It proved to be the last chance at either end as Roma seemed content to see out their third successive Europa League victory. Now firmly in control in Group G, Jose Mourinho’s side require just one more point from three remaining matches to finish in the top two places.