Shomurodov’s Early Strike Seals Victory as Roma Sets Record Run as they top Verona #2660
A.S Roma 1 Hellas Verona 0FT
In the eternal city of Rome — a convergence of history, art, and culture — each corner tells a story. From the majestic Colosseum to the awe-inspiring Pantheon and the enchanting Trevi Fountain, every iconic landmark stands as a testament to the city’s glorious past. Visitors can immerse themselves in the ancient Roman Forum, admire the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, or experience the vibrant energy of Piazza Navona, where baroque architecture blends seamlessly with lively street performances. The cobblestone streets, bustling markets, and world-renowned cuisine — from traditional pasta dishes to irresistible gelato — further enrich the city’s timeless charm. Tonight, the Stadio Olimpico takes center stage as Roma hosts Hellas Verona in a highly anticipated Serie A showdown. Claudio Ranieri’s Roma enters this clash riding a 17-game unbeaten streak, standing just one match away from breaking the club’s historic record. Under Ranieri’s seasoned guidance, the Giallorossi have showcased resilience and tactical brilliance, captivating fans with their spirited performances. The electrifying atmosphere at the Olimpico reflects the determination of the home side as they aim to continue their unbeaten run against a Verona team ready to test their mettle. Ranieri’s Roma, following challenging battles with Juventus and the recent derby against Lazio, collected two points across those back-to-back home fixtures while managing to preserve their unbeaten streak. Despite technically being the visiting team in the derby, Roma now hosts Verona on Saturday night in the capital. History beckons for the Giallorossi, as another victory would stretch their unbeaten run to an incredible 18 matches. Since December 15th, Roma has undergone a dramatic transformation under Ranieri’s leadership, soaring from 15th to 6th in the Serie A standings. If they maintain their streak, they’ll have the opportunity to break the record in Milan against Inter. Verona, meanwhile, sits 14th in the table and enters the match with four results out of their last five, though only one of those was a victory. Pablo Zanetti’s side, while comfortably above the relegation zone, faces their final significant test of the season tonight. In the first meeting earlier this season, Verona claimed a 3–2 victory over Ivan Juric’s Roma — a result marred by controversy surrounding a disallowed goal. This time, Roma seeks redemption, eager to settle the score and extend their historic unbeaten run. The Olimpico is alive with anticipation, and as kickoff approaches, all eyes turn to the Giallorossi and their quest for glory in the heart of Italy’s capital.
Claudio Ranieri stuck to his trusted formation ahead of Saturday’s match, opting not to make significant adjustments. However, he did make a few notable changes to the lineup. Artem Dovbyk was rested on the bench, preserved for next week’s clash against Inter Milan. Leading the line in attack was Eldor Shomurodov, supported by Matias Soulé and Tommaso Baldanzi operating just behind him. Bryan Cristante earned a start in midfield, while Alexis Saelemaekers was shifted into a wing-back role, slightly tweaking the setup. With the stage set, Roma aimed to assert themselves from the very beginning, and it didn’t take long for them to make their mark. In the 4th minute, Bryan Cristante delivered a perfectly timed pass out to the right flank for Matias Soulé. The Argentine winger, showing great confidence, took a composed touch forward into the defense before guiding a cross into the box that looked like a strike. Positioned perfectly, Shomurodov managed to break ahead of the Verona defense, dragging his foot just enough to ensure the ball crossed the line and nestled into the net. Roma took a 1–0 lead early, with Shomurodov claiming his seventh goal of the season — a personal record in his time in Italy. Soulé’s precision on the assist further solidified his growing influence in the team, a stark contrast to the uncertain start he had in the capital earlier in the campaign. In the 9th minute, Verona came dangerously close to leveling the score. Amin Sarr pushed forward into Roma’s half, finding Daniele Ghilardi, who surged into acres of space left by a momentary lapse in Roma’s backline. With only Mile Svilar to beat, Ghilardi squandered the golden opportunity, sending his shot well wide of the target. The Serbian goalkeeper stayed big in the moment, but the missed chance left Pablo Zanetti visibly stunned on the sidelines. Roma regained composure after the scare, though the chippy nature of the match soon became apparent — a hallmark of encounters between these two teams. In the 15th minute, Alexis Saelemaekers received the ball down the wing, launching forward as Soulé made his supporting run. The Belgian winger found his Argentine counterpart with a deft pass from behind before cutting into the box himself and firing a strike from the right. Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò managed to make the save, though the shot stung his hands in the process. Roma continued to exert control, particularly in midfield, issuing a commanding presence that limited Verona’s ability to capitalize on their earlier chances. The safety net provided by Roma’s midfield allowed their defense to recover, with elite ball control coming from Cristante and his teammates in the center of the park. In the 23rd minute, Antoine Bernede advanced the ball into the box for Daniel Mosquera, whose close-range attempt sailed over the crossbar — a disappointing misfire for the visiting side. In the 30th minute, Mosquera tried again with a shot from outside the box that tested Svilar, but the Serbian keeper produced a critical save to maintain Roma’s slim advantage. While Roma controlled the tempo of the match, clear-cut chances for the home side remained sparse. The visitors continued probing for an opening. In the 35th minute, Jackson Tchatchoua delivered a promising cross into the box toward Mosquera, who managed to get his head to the ball before Gianluca Mancini challenged him, sending the ball out for a corner. Verona attempted to capitalize on the resulting set-piece, with Ondrej Duda delivering a dangerous ball into the box. Nicolás Valentini met it with a header but lacked direction, sending the ball high and over the goal. Before the halftime whistle, Roma earned a corner of their own in the 45th minute. Alexis Saelemaekers stepped up and delivered an accurate ball into the box. Gianluca Mancini rose to meet it but sent his header narrowly wide of the target. With Shomurodov’s early strike proving decisive, Roma went into the break holding a 1–0 lead and looking to build on their advantage in the second half.
Roma struck early and, from that moment on, focused on shutting the game down. While they occasionally pushed forward and displayed some flair with the ball, their primary objective was to neutralize Verona’s attack — a task they executed effectively. Verona had one significant opportunity shortly after Roma scored, but the finish was poor, and despite creating occasional chances, Roma’s backline and midfield dealt with them comprehensively. Verona, however, began the second half with intent. In the 49th minute, Jackson Tchatchoua laid the ball off to Antoine Bernede, whose first-time strike forced a save from Mile Svilar, who watched it well. In the 52nd minute, Verona pressed again as Daniel Mosquera sought space outside the box, firing a shot that was thwarted by Roma’s resolute defense. In the 53rd minute, Verona earned a corner after Daniele Ghilardi’s off-balance strike from the side of the box veered into the billboard behind Roma’s goal. Roma quickly transitioned down the field as Manu Koné set up Tommaso Baldanzi. Despite finding himself in an excellent position, Baldanzi’s finish lacked the composure it needed, with the shot flying wide to the left. The commentator noted that Baldanzi’s finishing is something that needs refinement, and that observation felt spot on. Baldanzi’s explosiveness, agility, and ball-handling skills are evident, but his ability to convert chances remains a work in progress. His frustration was written all over his face, clearly aware that it was an opportunity he should have made count. In the 63rd minute, Niccolò Pisilli entered the fray as Ranieri made his first change, with Roma maintaining their advantage through disciplined play. Preventing Verona from generating any high-quality opportunities, Roma appeared content to hold their ground while sporadically venturing into attacking positions. With the result seemingly secured, they avoided taking unnecessary risks. In the 70th minute, Artem Dovbyk was introduced for the final 20 minutes. In the 73rd minute, Koné found Dovbyk in the box with a pinpoint pass. Dovbyk’s brilliant touch set him up to unleash a shot, but the ball ricocheted off the barricade just wide of the target — a near miss for Roma’s second goal. As the match wound down, Ranieri made late changes, introducing Devyne Rensch and Stephan El Shaarawy with 10 minutes to go. Verona, despite their efforts, couldn’t muster another meaningful chance. At the final whistle, Shomurodov’s early goal stood as the winner, sealing a hard-fought 1–0 victory for Roma at home.
Roma have now extended their unbeaten streak to 18 matches, setting a new club record and equaling Luciano Spalletti’s Roma from 2016. The Giallorossi handled business as expected, securing a victory at home against a bottom-half side in the table. The win over Verona marks the last guaranteed three points heading into the final stretch of the season, which promises to be the most challenging yet. While Roma managed draws against both Juventus and Lazio in their previous fixtures, the difficulty ramps up as their next test looms large. Ranieri made strategic rotations to his squad, most notably resting Artem Dovbyk until the final 20 minutes — a calculated decision to preserve the Ukrainian striker for Roma’s monumental clash next Sunday against Inter Milan. Inter, as we know, are favorites to win Serie A, while also competing in both the Champions League and Coppa Italia semifinals. Roma will need to deliver an exceptional performance if they hope to secure any points in Milan. Keeping Dovbyk fresh for this crucial battle made perfect sense given the stakes. The challenges won’t stop there, as Roma will then travel to Bergamo, host AC Milan, face Fiorentina at home, and conclude their campaign with an away trip to Torino. With five matches remaining, Roma finds themselves in a pivotal position: winning four could cement a top-five finish, while three victories should guarantee European football. However, anything less would likely require favorable results elsewhere. The feeling around the club is that winning at least three matches is imperative to keep their hopes alive. Saturday night’s gritty performance against Verona showcased Roma’s resolve once again. Shomurodov’s early goal inside the first five minutes was all they needed to see out the match, with the backline and midfield ensuring a clean sheet. Meanwhile, Soulé continued to impress, emerging as Roma’s most dynamic attacking player on the night. The 1–0 victory pushes the unbeaten run to 18 games, setting the stage for an intense finish to the season.
