Roma got back to winning form in Serie A by defeating Genoa 2-0, with Santiago Castro and Emanuele Lulli each netting their maiden goals for the club. This outcome brought an end to a streak of two straight league stalemates and provided a reply to Wednesday’s thrilling 4-3 Champions League loss to Real Madrid, where Roma let slip a 3-1 advantage in the closing stages.
Roma altered seven players from their midweek European match, as Donyell Malen was banned after receiving a red card against Como. Paulo Dybala, Manu Koné, Mile Svilar, and Bryan Cristante were additionally sidelined due to injuries.
Roma vs Genoa: opportunities and excitement before the break
The fixture represented a poignant comeback to the Stadio Olimpico for ex-Roma personalities Daniele De Rossi and Stephan El Shaarawy, who came with Genoa following their initial Serie A triumph of the campaign over Fiorentina. Genoa were likewise coping with multiple injury issues, while Italy Under-19 international Samuel Wiafe earned his inaugural Serie A start.
El Shaarawy almost handed the away side an early lead, but Pierluigi Gollini denied his attempt with his legs at the near post after nine minutes. Roma hit back via Matias Soulé, whose instant strike from the penalty area boundary was too near the goalkeeper.
Roma nearly broke the deadlock near the thirty-minute point when Leonardo Balerdi headed a Niccolò Pisilli corner against the crossbar. Rodrigo Mora then made Justin Bijlow pull off a solid save with a header, though Santiago Castro was in an offside position when the rebound came.
Genoa also hit the frame before the half-time whistle. El Shaarawy’s instant attempt from the box edge struck the crossbar after a crucial block had stopped Milutin Osmajic, leaving both teams annoyed despite generating encouraging chances.
Santiago Castro nets the opening Roma goal versus Genoa
Roma at last went ahead soon after the interval via an unconventional yet striking conversion from Castro. A corner was headed down among a cluster of players close to the near post, enabling the ex-Bologna forward to swivel and scoop the ball into the far upper corner from roughly seven yards.
The strike was Castro’s inaugural one for Roma and highlighted his creativity in a packed penalty area. Following a tightly fought opening period, the breakthrough handed the home side the edge they had been pursuing.
Emanuele Lulli clinches Roma’s 2-0 triumph in Serie A
Roma extended their advantage through another flash of personal brilliance, this time featuring Soulé and teenage academy graduate Emanuele Lulli. Soulé started his surge within his own half, evaded two tackles, and traded passes with Lorenzo Pellegrini before his shot was diverted by a Genoa defender.
The free ball arrived at Lulli at the back post, and the 19-year-old converted to claim his maiden Serie A goal. His effort confirmed the 2-0 outcome and provided Roma with a second scorer, commemorating a first landmark for the club.
Genoa kept seeking a reply, with Osmajic making Gollini save with a fierce strike. The away side also brought on Robinho Junior, the offspring of ex-Milan and Brazil attacker Robinho, for his Serie A bow, but Roma clung on to secure the win.