Roma vs Spezia 2-0: Mourinho Comes Back to Winning Ways

Roma came back to winning ways in the Monday night match of Serie A Round 17 as they disposed of Spezia 2-0 with goals from defenders Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez. After two domestic losses in a row, José Mourinho’s Giallorossi built up on their Conference League win in Sofia to break their negative trend in the Italian top-flight and move sixth in the league table ahead of Juventus.

Spezia’s negative trend, on the other hand, continues as the Bianconeri are now winless in five games and only two points ahead of the relegation zone. Good for Thiago Motta and his boys that all their direct contenders had already dropped points during the weekend.

With Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini unavailable, José Mourinho went for a 3-5-2 where Borja Mayoral won a starting spot on the front line alongside Tammy Abraham after his positive performance from last Thursday in conference league.

Mourinho’s “disciple” Thiago Motta – who won a treble with Inter in 2010 as a player under the Special One’s guidance – answered with a symmetrical setup where the two strikers were Rey Manaj and David Strelec.

Abraham Creates, Smalling Scores

Roma opened the scoring six minutes after kick off. Mourinho drew his trump card in defender Chris Smalling, who headed home a Jordan Veretout corner kick deflected by Abraham to find the back of net after more than one year and a half. Things soon went from bad to worse for Thiago Motta, who lost defender Jacopo Sala due to a muscle injury.

On 24 minutes, Abraham freed himself from two markers with a magic trick and served Matias Vina, whose shot was deflected in corner by goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. The former Chelsea men seemed to be in a state of grace as he tried to convert an Henrikh Mkhitaryan cross with a spectacular bycicle kick, but missed the target by a few inches.

Spezia’s first chance came on 34 minutes, courtesy of a Strelec filtering pass for Arkadiusz Reca. Rui Patricio saved the day for the Giallorossi in the occasion. But, just before the break, it was once again Roma to come close to make it to the scoresheet as Abraham hit the crossbar from another Mkhitaryan cross.

Ibanez Goal Blows Out Spezia Reaction

The trend seemed to change early into the second half as the additions of Kevin Agudelo and Daniele Verde gave Spezia a more offensive setup. However, the Giallorossi quickly blew out the Aquilotti‘s reaction as, on 56 minutes, Roger Ibanez headed home another Jordan Veretout corner kick. 

Spezia were still alive, though. A Simone Bastoni offside position canceled Manaj’s winning effort that could have reopened the game. The visitors continued to threaten until the end a Roma defense that seemed far from perfect. On 77 minutes, Rui Patricio denied Manaj from close range. Then, Kelvin Amian missed the target from a favorable position, towering above the Giallorossi defenders to connect with a Bastoni cross. 

Roma grabbed all three points on offer but ended the game on a sour note. During stoppage time, 18-year-old Felix Afena-Gyan quickly went from the joy of scoring his first goal at the Stadio Olimpico to being sent off after being caught touching the ball with his hand in the build-up (he was already booked). 

What’s Next for Roma and Spezia

A challenging test awaits Roma in Bergamo as the Giallorossi will face Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday. The following day, Thiago Motta’s Spezia will receive a ramping-up Empoli side at the Alberto Picco Stadium.

 

MATCH SCORECARD

December 13, 2021 – Serie A 2021-2022 Round 17
ROMA – SPEZIA 2-0

SCORER: 6′ Smalling, 56′ Ibanez

REFEREE: Mr. Prontera from Bologna
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Vina, Kumbulla (R), Gyasi (S); Red Card: Afena-Gyan (R); Added Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 3′