Lukaku wins it late as shorthanded Roma propels past Geona in final home match #2148
A.S Roma 1 Genoa 0FT
Roma saw their Champions League dreams. Absolutely crushed after getting picked apart in Bergamo. Wild Champions League football isn’t completely dead. It is increasingly unlikely that Roma will qualify for the elite competition in Europe. However, Roma still wants to finish their season strong and ensure that they finish above Lazio this season at bare minimum. It would be the final home match of the season. They would welcome Genoa to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. As De Rossi’s Roma aim to right the wrongs of the previous meeting. Under Jose They were humiliated in Genoa with a 4-1 defeat. Genoa doesn’t have much to play for as they are already safe from relegation. However, that does not mean it’s going to be a walk in the Park. The fitness level of Dybala is unclear at this moment. He could make an appearance this evening, although probably not until the later stages of the match. De Rossi has recently signed a 3-Year extension giving him more time to build Roma and do something significant. A new sporting director is going to arrive from France at the end of the season. He had previously worked at nice de Rossi will have a lot of input on the club’s transfers the upcoming season. However, for the time being, the objective for the moment is to get three points in the final home game against Genoa. As an old friend, Kevin Strootman makes his return to Roma against his former teammate as Roma and Genoa set to battle it out in Rome in the final home match of the season.
As Dybala remains on the bench Tommaso Baldanzi comes in to start in his place as he is done reasonably well when given such opportunity. Roma looked to get it going in the 10th minute as Bove funnels a ball for Tommaso Baldanzi He drags an effort from the left side of the box that deflects off of the goalkeeper. Roma soaking up the pressure as they are looking for a swift start if possible. In the 16th minute. Roma wins themselves a corner. It is delivered in from Lorenzo Pellegrini. It finds Angelino however, the on-loan fullback puts too much power on it. Slowly. Genoa found themselves pushing the envelope at times. After the corner Matteo Retegui attempts a strike from distance but it is blocked by the Roma defense. As the match progressed, Roma started to pick up a level of momentum. They found themselves with some quick-fire chances looking to come to life and hopefully cash in on an opening goal. In the 23rd minute Tommaso Baldanzi collects a ball from Lorenzo Pellegrini. He drags it high and wide doing everything right outside of the finish. 3 minutes later in the 26th minute Bove strikes from deep. Unable to find the touch necessary putting too much on it. In the 29th minute, Aaron Martin delivers a ball into the box for Johann Vasquez as he drags his head on the end of it However Mile Svillar scoops it up making the save at the bottom corner. They came forward a minute later in the 30th a minute with Matteo Retegui from inside the box but spears it wide mismanaging the opportunity. In the 31st minute chrisante from way deep unloads a well-timed effort that very nearly misses the target landing on the top of the net. The deep strike from the midfielder nearly could have opened it up. Roma really pushed in the late stages of the first half. A pair of chances coming in the 42nd minute Leo Paredes tries but ends up nowhere near. Then a moment later. Cristante does the same as it is deflected off of the opposing defense. Then at the very end of the first half in the 45th minute chrisante unloads an effort from deep this one failing to reach the mark. The first half comes to a close with neither side able to break through. However it seems as if Roma is really starting to pick it up.
Roma, probably the better of the two sides thus far. Lukaku hasn’t yet gotten involved in a really big way. However, it felt as if the big Belgian was eventually going to make an impact only a matter of time. Roma wanted to pick up right where they left off. In the 50th minute Tommaso Baldanzi supplies a well-timed pass into Cristante he from distance as Martinez makes the necessary save. 2 minutes later, Genoa won themselves a free kick from the left side in a dangerous position. In the 52nd minute it is delivered Johann Vasquez gets his head on the end of it as it drifts over the corner. In the 54th minute, Roma would work it through the air. Angelino sends a ball into the box. Lukaku gets on the end of it a fantastic opportunity but was denied by Martinez making a terrific save in a big moment. A minute later in the 55th minute Tommaso Baldanzi then makes a nice run off the right side. Finding a little space but ends up seeing his shot deflected. In the 57th minute unfortunately happened again. The young Italian has done really well this evening, however, keeps running into deflections this time. It comes from distance ricocheting off of the opposing defense. In the 63rd minute De Rossi would go to his bench. Dybala and El Shaarawy are introduced as Angelino and Tommaso Baldanzi are sacrificed. In the 68th minute Leo Paredes delivers a ball to Lukaku from inside the box. It is very well taken by the Belgium striker; however, Martinez gets his hands on it again. In the 71st minute Dybala and Lukaku connect as the Argentine from close range is denied by Martinez. Roma was dominating and seemed to be knocking on the door. However, they would be reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute. Paredes picked up a second yellow card as he gets his walking papers. He will miss Roma’s final match of the season next Sunday against Empoli. Now Roma must find a winner with a disadvantage. However, in spite of that, the moment does arrive for Roma. In the 79th minute on a free kick from Very far out it is sent by El Shaarawy the ball is thrown into traffic. Lukaku puts his head amongst the trees getting a touch on the end of it. Sending it in the back of the net to give Roma a 1-0 lead. He takes his top off and celebrates with his fans for possibly the last time. It was his 21st goal of the season. Unfortunately Lukaku was booked meaning it will be his final game of the season and likely final with the club. Roma held on to secure the victory as they are put in position to jump ahead of Atalanta Should they slip up. De Rossi shares a hug with his former teammate Kevin Strootman as he walks around the stadium giving a thank you to the fans. In the final whole match of the season, it is all smiles at the stadio Olmpico.
A relatively strong performance as Roma inevitably gets the job done in the end. They played very well, although a lot of credit must be placed on Genoa as they made Roma work for every inch. Martinez in the opposing goal today. Fabulous job. He has been one of the best signings of the season and has been an excellent addition to Italian football. Roma probably could have won this more comfortably if not for the goalkeeping display from the Genoa keeper. Roma’s possibility of making the Champions League Still remains relatively small. However, at bare minimum they have collected another three points to possibly and the campaign with a bang. They would need some help in order for them to qualify for the Champions League path through the league. We all know the chances of Leverkusen losing in the Europa League final to Atalanta Is probably less than 1%. Roma should not have to rely on others to get them Champions League. The best they can do is hope that that side and Bergamo tastes defeat. Dybala does not make an appearance until the last 20 odd minutes. I thought both Bove and Tommaso Baldanzi did incredibly well. However the one that impressed me the most was Crisante he played an important role in the victory. A very complete performance exactly the type of player that every side needs. Sometimes people are confused of why Cristante has played over 200 games for Roma. He’s not sexy. He’s not flashy but he is an incredibly high motor and is an incredibly intelligent player. He may not have scored or assisted, but it was a really well put together performance. Roma has one more performance needed before the end of the season. The headlines and the attention will certainly be on Lukaku. He ended up with 21 goals and nine assists in all competition. In just Italian football he ended up with 13 goals. Not a bad stat line for the campaign. Roma really needed a reliable Striker and that’s what Lukaku was this season. I’m almost certain that Roma would be interested in bringing him back. I’m sure that’s something that will be explored. However, Chelsea’s asking price will be very steep. They want to somehow get some of the money back that they paid when they spent $97 million on the player. Over the last two loans that he has had both at Inter, Milan and Chelsea perhaps they got close to 20 million. They will ask for about 40 million this summer. Roma cannot afford to spend that some on him. The fans got to say goodbye in all likelihood he will not be making a return to Rome. However, some of us hold out hope that they can find a way to reconstruct a deal that wouldn’t cost Roma a ton but guarantee him for at least another season or two. However, unfortunately it has to be operated through Chelsea as he is Chelsea’s. A big summer could be ahead in regards to Lukaku and many others. The new sporting director will arrive very soon and De Rossi has sorted out his future with an extension. They will finish off their season In Tuscany against Empoli as the hope is another three points is on its way.
