SPAL 0-3 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi head into Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool with a confidence-boosting away league win under the belts; a game that also saw them rest a number of key players while giving others valuable playing time.

Daniele De Rossi, Edin Dzeko and Alessandro Florenzi were among those to be rested in Ferrara, and in their place it was Lorenzo Pellegrini, Radja Nainggolan and Patrik Schick that drove the side to victory.

Pellegrini provided the assist that broke the deadlock, as defender Francesco Vicari turned into his own net under pressure from Kevin Strootman, and then also turned provider for Patrik Schick's long-awaited first league goal for the Giallorossi.

Between those two strikes there was a clinical goal for Radja Nainggolan, whose half-volley effectively put the game to bed as a contest.

The Giallorossi remain third in the Serie A standings, and cannot be overtaken for the week regardless of the results elsewhere on Sunday.

Team selection

Jonathan Silva made his debut for the Giallorossi, as Di Francesco made a number of changes to his side ahead of the game against Liverpool.

Maxime Gonalons, Bruno Peres and Stephan El Shaarawy all continued after Wednesday's win over Genoa, with Schick leading the line and Radja Nainggolan as captain.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

7' - Schick wins an early free-kick in a dangerous position. Jonathan Silva drives in a low cross-shot that Meret does well to collect.

12' - Everton is booked for a poor challenge from behind on Strootman. The Ferrara crowd wanted a penalty moments before after an incident involving Antenucci - but the referee wasn't interested.

22' - CHANCE! Strootman harries the SPAL defence into a mistake, then El Shaarawy grabs the loose ball before seeing his shot deflected fractionally wide!

23' - From the corner, the ball falls to El Shaarawy again - this time his shot is saved smartly by Meret.

33' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! STROOTMAN!!! That's the breakthrough! Replays suggest it is actually an own goal from Vicari, as the defender turns the ball into his own net as he and Strootman fight to meet Pellegrini's dangerous low cross! Yes! 0-1!

41' - Great chance! Pellegrini is played in beautifully by Radja for the one-on-one chance, but Meret makes a great stop!

45' - CHANCE! NO! Brilliant counter-attack for Roma ends with Schick playing El Shaarawy through with a beautiful chipped pass... but again Meret makes a good stop!

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

50' - A smart dummy from Radja opens up the space, before El Shaarawy passes the ball back inside for him. The midfielder goes for the bottom corner but drags his shot narrowly wide.

52' - GOAL! TWO! RADJA! Radja celebrates it, but it could be Schick's goal in the end - the midfielder half-volleys through a crowd of bodies, and the forward may just have got a touch as the ball fizzes into the far corner. Either way, Roma are 2-0 up!

56' - Big save from Alisson! Paloschi gets into the box and forces the Brazilian into a full-stretch stop low to his right... then Peres storms in to prevent Antenucci prodding home the rebound!

57' - Another important save from Meret, again from El Shaarawy.

59' - GOAL! SCHICK! HE'S SCORED! The corner is taken short, and ends with Lorenzo Pellegrini curling in an inviting cross from out wide - and Schick is in the right place at the right time to nod home from close range! Meret had no chance - 3-0!

66' - Lovely individual play from El Shaarawy is not quite rewarded, as he fires a slightly off-balance shot over the crossbar.

69' - Another good save from Alisson to repel Antenucci once again.

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“It was a great performance against a side who had been impressive at home recently and given very little away."We started off on the right foot by getting down their throats right from kick-off. I'm really happy with our overall performance today – at the back, up front and in midfield. I'm very pleased with the lads.”

- Eusebio Di Francesco

“Yes, at last! It was too long in coming. I always try to do my bit for the team and I knew the goal would come for me.“The first part of the season didn't go as I'd hoped. I had lots of injury problems. Now I'm able to get on with my job without any niggles. I'm happy to have finally scored.”

- Patrik Schick

What's next?

The Giallorossi now have another big away game to prepare for - as they travel to Liverpool to face Jurgen Klopp's side at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Their next Serie A clash is against Chievo Verona at the Stadio Olimpico next Saturday.

SPAL 0-3 ROMA

Goalscorers: Vicari o.g. (33'), Nainggolan (52'), Schick (59')

SPAL: Meret, Felipe, Vicari, Cionek, Mattiello, Kurtic, Schiattarella, Luiz, Lazzari, Antenucci, Paloschi

Roma: Alisson, Peres, Fazio, Manolas, Silva, Pellegrini, Gonalons, Strootman, Nainggolan, Schick, El Shaarawy