Roma found a way through injury trouble and a stubborn Genoa to take a 2-0 win at the Olimpico, with 22-year-old Castro and 19-year-old Lulli writing the decisive passages. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, missing several established names, moved temporarily into second place on their own, two points behind leaders Inter, while Genoa could not build on their recent win over Fiorentina.
A young Roma answers the emergency
The evening began with an embrace on the touchline between Gasperini and Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi, once a central figure at Roma. On the pitch, however, both men had immediate reasons to demand more from their teams.
Roma were without the injured Svilar, Cristante, Koné and Dybala, while Malen was suspended. Gasperini nevertheless kept faith with a youthful group in his 3-4-2-1, with Castro leading the line and Lulli operating on the flank. Genoa, also set up in a 3-4-2-1, arrived after ending a ten-match winless run against Fiorentina.
- Roma started with Gollini; Balerdi, Ndicka and Koulierakis; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli and Rensch; Soulé and Mora behind Castro.
- Genoa selected Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard and Vasquez; Ellertsson, Wiafe, Frendrup and Puczka; Messias and El Shaarawy supporting Osmajic.
- Rosario Abisso officiated the match, assisted by Alberto Tegoni and Thomas Miniutti, with Giuseppe Collu as fourth official.
Genoa pressed high from the opening minutes and made Roma’s early build-up difficult. El Shaarawy, facing his former club, was close to punishing them in the eighth minute when his left-footed effort from close range struck the outside of the net.
Roma gradually established more possession and territory, forcing Genoa into a deeper five-man defensive line. Soulé tested Bijlow after a move involving Mora, but the first half remained a contest of duels rather than flowing chances.
Crossbars at both ends before the interval
Roma came closest around the half-hour mark. Balerdi met a Pisilli corner and sent his header onto the upper part of the crossbar, before Mora forced Bijlow into a diving save with a header from Soulé’s delivery.
Genoa responded sharply. After an Ndicka error, Osmajic was blocked in the area, and El Shaarawy then hit the bar with a fierce shot from outside the box in the 33rd minute. It was a reminder that De Rossi’s side remained fully in the game despite Roma’s longer spells on the ball.
- Soulé had earlier been denied by Bijlow from the edge of the area.
- Koulierakis headed narrowly over from another Pisilli corner.
- Osmajic was also stopped by Ndicka after Wiafe had won possession high up the field.
- Both sides went into the break level after a restrained first half, with the crossbars providing its clearest moments.
Roma’s long home record against Genoa had given the Olimpico reason for confidence. The Giallorossi had avoided defeat in 39 of their previous 40 Serie A home meetings with the Ligurian club, including their last 23. Genoa’s last league victory away to Roma had come on 17 January 1990, when Carlos Aguilera scored in a 1-0 result at the Stadio Flaminio.
Castro opens the door, Lulli seals the points
Gasperini urged his side to raise the tempo after the restart, and the breakthrough came five minutes into the second half. Lulli’s 30-metre burst earned a corner, which Soulé delivered into a crowded area. Castro kept the ball close under pressure and lifted a delicate finish into the top corner for his first Roma goal.
With the lead secured, Gasperini turned to experience. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Mario Hermoso replaced Mora and Koulierakis, while De Rossi introduced Vitinha for El Shaarawy, who was warmly applauded by the home crowd.
Roma continued to carry the greater conviction, and the second goal arrived in the 69th minute. Soulé drove forward impressively before finding Pellegrini. His right-footed strike was diverted by Vasquez into Lulli’s path, and the teenager finished from close range, staying level with the defensive line before sending the Curva Sud into celebration.
Roma’s bench reflects a changing night
The closing stages belonged to Roma’s younger players as much as to their result. Lulli left to a standing ovation after scoring his first Serie A goal, with Wesley entering in his place. Robinho Jr and Di Nunzio were also introduced, and both made their Serie A debuts; Di Nunzio replaced Pisilli, while Ghilardi came on for Rensch.
Genoa had little left to change the outcome, although Gollini stayed alert to keep out Osmajic’s driven diagonal attempt. Messias had also struggled to make the most of an earlier run to the byline, sending his left-footed shot wide of the target.
For Roma, the result ended a run of two successive draws and showed that the squad’s younger contingent could shoulder responsibility during a difficult injury period. For Genoa, a promising and organised first half gave way to a more passive second, leaving De Rossi’s side to reflect on an opportunity that slipped away once Castro had shifted the night in Roma’s favour.
