Last night’s Serie A match between AS Roma and Hellas Verona at the Stadio Olimpico ended with a narrow 1-0 victory for Roma, a result that keeps their hopes alive for a Champions League spot this season.
The only goal of the match came early, in the 4th minute, when Eldor Shomurodov capitalized on a brilliant cross-field pass from Bryan Cristante, assisted by a solo run from Matias Soulé who delivered a clinical touch to unlock the Verona defense. This early strike proved decisive as Roma managed to hold on to the lead against a physically intense Verona side known for their pressing and fast forwards.
Roma’s victory extended their unbeaten run in the league to 12 wins and 5 draws, bringing their season tally to 57 points from 33 games, with a record of 16 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses. Verona, struggling this season, remain in the lower part of the table with 32 points from 33 matches, having won 9, drawn 5, and lost 19.
Roma’s defensive solidity was evident as they managed to keep a clean sheet against Verona’s attacking threats. The match was characterized by Verona’s high pressing and physical approach, but Roma’s efficiency and tactical discipline under Claudio Ranieri made the difference.
Ranieri described the match as very tough, emphasizing Verona’s physicality and pressing style. He praised the quality moment that broke the deadlock, particularly highlighting Matias Soulé’s clinical finish and Cristante’s wonderful switch of play that set up the goal. He commended the entire team for their collective effort and resilience under pressure.
Ranieri also reflected on Roma’s current position just two points shy of the Champions League spots, acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead but expressing optimism. He humorously invited bets on Roma’s chances but stressed the need for hard work in the upcoming challenging fixtures against top teams like Inter and Fiorentina.
Importantly, Ranieri announced his decision not to continue as Roma’s coach next season, stating that another year with him would be wasted for the club. He believes the new coach will need time to understand the squad and build on their progress. He praised the quality of the current group and expressed his desire for Roma to finish the season strongly and make their fans proud.
While direct quotes from Zanetti were not provided in the sources, the context indicates that Verona’s coach prepared his team well to be physically competitive and pressing aggressively. Despite the loss, Verona’s recent defensive improvements were noted, having conceded only three goals in their last five games and keeping three clean sheets. The team continues to fight to secure their Serie A status, with the match against Roma being a tough challenge against a team pushing for European qualification.
AS Roma’s 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona was a hard-fought win secured by an early moment of quality from Shomurodov and Soulé. The result keeps Roma in the hunt for a Champions League place, with 57 points on the board and just two points behind fourth place. Claudio Ranieri’s post-match remarks reflected both satisfaction with the team’s performance and a realistic view of the challenges ahead, coupled with his announcement to step down as coach to allow fresh leadership for the club’s future ambitions. Verona, despite the defeat, continue their battle for survival with a more solid defense and determination to stay in Serie A