ROME — There is a specific kind of electricity that only the Stadio Olimpico can generate, but on Monday night, it was tinged with a complex irony.
As Daniele De Rossi walked toward the dugout he once called home—this time wearing the tracksuit of a struggling Genoa—the applause from the Romanisti was warm, yet the performance from his former players was cold and clinical.
In a whirlwind 31-minute opening act, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma dismantled the visitors, securing a -1 victory that wasn't just about the three points; it was about reclaiming their identity as Champions League heavyweights.
The match was essentially decided before many fans had even settled into their seats. Roma played with a verticality and aggression that left Genoa’s back three looking like statues in the Roman winter.
14’: The Breakthrough. Matías Soulé, the creative heartbeat of this Roma side, pounced on a weak headed clearance from Johan Vásquez. With the composure of a veteran, Soulé lashed the ball home to ignite the Curva Sud.
19’: The Quick Double. Before Genoa could catch their breath, Manu Koné made it two. Connecting with a Gianluca Mancini cross, Koné’s effort took a cruel deflection off Morten Frendrup, leaving Daniele Sommariva helpless.
31’: The Knockout Blow. Soulé turned provider, or nearly so, as his stinging shot was parried by Sommariva right into the path of Evan Ferguson. The young striker showed his poacher’s instinct, tapping in the rebound to make it 3-0.
While Jeff Ekhator managed a late consolation goal for Genoa in the 87th minute, the damage was long done. The only cloud over the capital was the 57th-minute departure of Soulé, who hobbled off with an injury that will have Gasperini checking his medical reports daily.
Gasperini’s 3-4-2-1 was a masterclass in spatial awareness. By using Paulo Dybala and Soulé as dual "trequartistas," Roma overloaded the midfield, leaving De Rossi’s 3-5-2 outnumbered and constantly chasing shadows.
"We were dismantled," De Rossi admitted post-match, his voice carrying the weight of a legend seeing his club from the wrong side of the scoreline. For Genoa, a third straight loss leaves them teetering just two points above the drop zone.
Round 17 proved to be a weekend of reshuffling at both ends of the table. With the winter break approaching, the "Seven Sisters" of Italian football are beginning to separate themselves from the pack.
The Top of the Table
Roma’s win vaults them into 4th place with 33 points. The Scudetto race remains a tight four-way heat:
Position | Club | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1st | Inter Milan | 36 | Game in hand |
2nd | AC Milan | 35 | Game in hand |
3rd | Napoli | 34 | Game in hand |
4th | AS Roma | 33 | Played 17 games |
5th | Juventus | 31 | Dropped after Roma win |
Survival Mode
At the bottom, the air is getting thin. Genoa (17th) remains stuck on 14 points, barely hovering above Hellas Verona (18th) and Lecce (19th). With Verona holding a game in hand, De Rossi’s side could find themselves in the relegation zone by next weekend if results don't swing their way.
Round 17 Headlines
The Perth "Ghost" Game: The league made waves by cancelling the AC Milan vs. Como fixture scheduled for Australia. Financial risks and logistical "onerous conditions" were cited, keeping the Rossoneri in Italy and sparing the players a grueling mid-season flight.
Cuesta’s Parma: Carlos Cuesta continues to draw praise for Parma’s resilience. Following their clash with Fiorentina, Cuesta emphasized that his squad’s "tactical flexibility" is the only reason they aren't currently embroiled in the relegation scrap.
What's Next?
Roma travels next with the hope that Soulé’s injury is minor, as they look to pressure the Milan clubs.
For Genoa, the January transfer window can't come soon enough—they have conceded 10 goals in just 270 minutes of football.