Roma defeated Sampdoria 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night and put themselves within two points of the Champions League spots.
The Giallorossi dominated the majority of the match and they only looked shaky in the last 15 minutes. Alessandro Florenzi and Diego Perotti gave Luciano Spalletti’s side a two-goal lead before a Miralem Pjanic own goal gave the Blucerchiati some hope.
Roma could have thrown that lead away but Wojciech Szczesny and the woodwork came to their rescue at the end, denying Antonio Cassano and Mattia Cassani respectively.
Did we get our ratings right? Have your say below.
Roma
Wojciech Szczesny – 7 – Alert
Made an incredible point-blank save from Cassano and saved a Fabio Quagliarella shot in the dying minutes.
Antonio Rudiger – 6.5 – Solid
Capable of doing his defensive duties and made the odd contribution to the attack. An improved player since Luciano Spalletti’s arrival.
Kostas Manolas – 6 – Acceptable
He was comfortable for the majority of the match but he had more trouble with Fabio Quagliarella than with Luis Muriel.
Ervin Zukanovic – 5.5 – Decent
The former Samp defender was more involved in constructing Roma’s play that stopping his old team from doing anything. Brought off for Digne at half-time.
Maicon – 6 – Adequate
Attacked regularly down the right flank in the first half but his influence lessened in the second half, especially once Samp started keeping possession.
Miralem Pjanic – 6.5 – Director
Although he scored an own goal, the game was largely a positive one for the playmaker. Bossed the midfield and his directing of the play was crucial to Roma’s win.
Seydou Keita – 6 – Satisfactory
He helped to maintain possession for his team but he was not as influential as Pjanic in an offensive sense.
Stephan El Shaarawy – 7.5 – Sparkling
Showed great ability to move from the left-wing and drift centrally. He had a deflected assist for Florenzi for 1-0 and flicked the ball to Perotti for the second. Could have scored himself to make it 3-1.
Mohamed Salah – 6.5 – Fine
Salah wasn’t at his dashing best but still a key part of this Roma team. He was the link between the wide players and the central attacking players.
Diego Perotti – 7 – Lethal
Scored his first goal for Roma with a sublime volley. Linked-up well with his teammates and he was comfortable in tight areas.
Alessandro Florenzi – 6.5 – Versatile
He broke free to score with a header on the stroke of half-time. Did well in attack but was forced to play in defence as the second half wore on.
Substitutes
Lucas Digne (HT) – 5.5 – Tolerable
He did not make a lot of runs going forward but he was not under great pressure on the left side.
Edin Dzeko (65 minutes) – 5 – Lumberjack
Roma’s fluidity disappeared when the centre-forward came on. Spalletti’s side were less attacking when he came on but he offered little on the counter-attack.
Iago Falque (85 minutes) – No Vote
Replaced El Shaarawy near the end of the game but Roma were defending by that stage of the game.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com