Roma vs Verona 2-2: Teenage Substitutes Salvage Point for Giallorossi

Verona held Roma to a 2-2 draw in what was an entertaining and dramatic encounter at the Stadio Olimpico. The visitors got off to a fine start and led 2-0 after only 20 minutes thanks to goals from Antonin Barak and Adrien Tameze.

However, Roma fought back hard and teenage substitutes Cristian Volpato and Edoardo Bove scored their first goals for the club to make sure the hosts got something from the match. However, the draw is another massive dent in the Giallorossi’s hopes of playing European football next season.

Starting XIs: Roma Make Two Changes, Verona Make One Change

Roma made only two changes to their starting XI from their draw over Sassuolo. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was in the lineup, replacing the suspended Gianluca Mancini. With the former Arsenal man at right wingback, Rick Karsdorp started as a right centre-back. Bryan Cristante was back in the lineup, replacing Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Igor Tudor made just one change to the Verona side that thrashed Udinese 4-0 with Davide Faraoni starting in place of Fabo Depaoli.

Barak and Tameze Put Verona 2-0 Up

Verona could not have asked for a better as they took the lead after only five minutes with Barak scoring after Rui Patricio parried Faraoni’s shot towards him. Just minutes later, Lorenzo Pellegrini had a shot on goal but Lorenzo Montipo denied him with a save. The Gialloblu doubled their lead in the 20th minute after Ivan Ilic’s fine pass found Gianluca Caprari who passed to Tameze who found the net. Verona continued to attack and keep the Roma backline busy with Giovanni Simeone having a few chances to end his goal drought. The Argentine did find the net but his goal was ruled out for offside.

Cristante Header Sees Roma Grab a Point

Roma made two changes during the interval with Jordan Veretout and Nicola Zalewski coming on for Sergio Oliveira and Mateus VIna respectively. The Giallorossi were keen to bounce back in the match and attacked the opposition backline. Veretout had a good chance to pull one back for the hosts but his shot hit the side-netting. Mourinho brought on Volpato just after the hour-mark and the move paid off as the teenager pulled one back for Roma. The Giallorossi continued to attack in search of an equalizer but Verona’s backline was resilient. They eventually found one thanks to a strong right-footed shot from Bove. Tempers flared during the final minutes of the match and referee Pairetto sent off Mourinho in injury time. 

Roma tried hard for a winner but were unable to do so and both teams got a point each.

What’s Next for Roma and Verona

Roma will travel to Liguria where they will face Spezia on Sunday. Verona host Venezia that very day.

 

MATCH SCORECARD

February 19, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Round 26
ROMA – VERONA 2-2

SCORERS: 5′ Barak (V), 20′ Tameze (V), 65′ Volpato (R), 84′ Bove (R)