Rome had room for sentiment before kick-off, as Daniele De Rossi returned to the Olimpico, but Roma kept their focus once the match began. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side beat Genoa 2-0 to remain two points behind Inter, who had earlier won 3-1 away to Bologna.
The home side were coming off Wednesday’s startling 4-3 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid and arrived with a heavily reduced squad. Top scorer Malen was suspended following his dismissal against Como, while Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné, Bryan Cristante and goalkeeper Mile Svilar were unavailable through injury.
Quick facts
- Roma defeated Genoa 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
- Santiago Castro scored his first Roma goal in the 50th minute.
- Nineteen-year-old Emanuel Lulli added his first professional goal on 69 minutes.
- Inter remain top of the table after beating Bologna 3-1, two points ahead of Roma.
- Genoa, on four points, dropped into the relegation places.
Roma initially looked affected by the absences and by the midweek disappointment. Genoa goalkeeper Justin Bijlow dealt comfortably with efforts from Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli before the game began to open up around the half-hour mark.
Leonardo Balerdi came closest for Roma before the interval, sending a header against the crossbar from a corner. Genoa replied immediately when Stephan El Shaarawy struck the woodwork from outside the penalty area; the former player was warmly greeted by supporters familiar with him from earlier days.
The second half brought the breakthrough Roma needed. From another corner, Argentine forward Castro controlled the loose ball amid a crowd of defenders, paused over it and lifted a delicate finish beyond Bijlow in the 50th minute.
It was Castro’s first goal in Giallorossi colours following his summer arrival from Bologna. Roma then found greater freedom against a Genoa side unable to produce a meaningful response.
Lulli, a 19-year-old right-back from Roma’s academy making his senior debut, sealed the points. Soulé carried the ball forward on a long move, saw his shot deflected by a defender, and Lulli arrived to finish into an unguarded net in the 69th minute.
Genoa’s late consolation was the debut of 19-year-old Robinho Junior, son of the former Santos, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Milan forward. His father is currently serving a prison sentence for gang rape committed during his time playing in Italy.
