Roma 2-1 Genoa: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi dominated the majority of the contest and led after barely 15 minutes through Cengiz Under, yet had to survive a nervy final 30 minutes after Gianluca Lapadula halved the deficit for the determined visitors.

But a chance at an equaliser never really materialised for Davide Ballardini's side, as Ervin Zukanovic's own goal ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.

The result means Eusebio Di Francesco's side move back up to third in the Serie A standings - ahead of Saturday's trip to face SPAL.

Team selection

Di Francesco made six changes from the side that drew 0-0 in the Derby della Capitale at the weekend - including completely overhauling his midfield.

Maxime Gonalons, Gerson and Lorenzo Pellegrini all came into the starting line-up - while Cengiz Under made his first start since the Champions League last-16 second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk in March.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

14' - Slick first-time turn from Cengiz creates just enough space for him inside the box to get a shot off. Perin saves.

17' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Just what the Giallorossi needed! Gerson is fouled out wide by Rossettini, who gets booked. Kolarov swings in the inviting free-kick, and there is Cengiz to prod home at the far post! 1-0!

22' - Just wide! Lovely interplay from the Roma attackers as Gerson plays in El Shaarawy, but the forward curls his shot narrowly wide!

25' - Powerful shot from Dzeko after a good touch and run to the edge of the box - but Perin makes a decent save.

45' - Hiljemark heads over from inside the box for Genoa.

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

48' - Determined start from Roma - Pellegrini heads back across goal for Dzeko, but Perin makes an important punch to clear the danger!

52' - GOAL! IT'S TWO! OWN GOAL! The inswinging corner from Aleksandar Kolarov is curling and dangerous - and Erwin Zukanovic gets the final touch as the ball hits the inside of the far post and goes in! 2-0!

60' - Goal. Genoa get one back. Lapadula rushes through and slots home. 2-1.

61' - Smart run and turn on the edge of the box from Pellegrini, but his shot is straight at Perin.

68' - Narrowly over from Dzeko as he tries to pick out the top corner from the edge of the box...

78' - Medeiros wriggles free inside the box after a dangerous Genoa counter, but Alisson makes an important intervention.

84' - SAVE PERIN! Beautiful attacking move from Roma, as Strootman picks out Dzeko inside the box. The striker expertly lays the ball off for Florenzi - but his powerful drive is deflected wide by the Genoa 'keeper!

90' - GOO... NO! Somehow no! Gonalons breaks the defence open with a glorious ball for Florenzi - the full-back shot is saved again by Perin and the covering defender gets in to deny Dzeko the tap-in from the rebound

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“I think we did very well in the first half – we had Genoa on the ropes with our good attacking play. However we weren’t clinical enough and didn’t make the most of our play. Genoa came out more in the second half, but we still had several chances to kill the game off. We lost the ball in midfield and ended up conceding, which opened up the game again – sometimes we do ourselves harm. We could have killed the game earlier and we showed a bit of naivety. This is an issue we’ve had for some time.”

- Eusebio Di Francesco

“There are no easy games in football. We were able to dig in tonight. We need to make sure we don’t slip up at this stage of the season. We have to stay focused. We won in the end and that’s what counts.”

- Alisson Becker

The Giallorossi have another important Serie A game this weekend, as they travel to Ferrara to face SPAL on Saturday.

Then, next Tuesday, they are at Anfield for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.

ROMA 2-1 GENOA

Goals: Cengiz (17'), Zukanovic o.g. (52'); Lapadula (60')

Roma: Alisson; Florenzi, Fazio, Juan Jesus, Kolarov; Gerson, Gonalons, Pellegrini; El Shaarawy, Dzeko, Cengiz.

Genoa: Perin; El Yamiq, Rossettini, Zukanovic, Rosi; Hiljemark, Bertolacci, Rigoni, Migliore; Pandev, Lapadula.