Hellas Verona 0-1 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi took the lead after just 43 seconds at the Stadio Bentegodi, as Cengiz Under grabbed his first-ever goal for the club in brilliant fashion.

But Lorenzo Pellegrini's sending off five minutes into the second half left Eusebio Di Francesco's side forced into defensive measures in order to see out a much-needed three points.

The 10 men successfully managed that, however, picking up three points and ending a run of six league games without a win in the process.

It was Cengiz's goal that was the difference, a strike worthy both of winning a game and opening his account for his new club. After the ball ran loose on the edge of the box it was the Turkish forward who reacted quickest; claiming the loose ball, shifting past the covering defender before lashing an unstoppable left-footed drive low into the bottom corner.

The moment clearly - and understandably - delighted the 20-year-old, and it seemed to restore the confidence of a side that has received little good fortune in recent weeks. But a second goal would not be forthcoming, despite good openings for the likes of Edin Dzeko and Stephan El Shaarawy.

In the second half, after Pellegrini's dismissal for a late challenge, Roma had to change their approach. But they defended diligently and restricted Verona to few clear chances at an equaliser - continuing to create the better chances despite the numerical disadvantage.

Team selection

Di Francesco opted to give Cengiz Under his third straight start while also switching formation slightly, with Radja Nainggolan moving into a more advanced attacking role in a 4-2-3-1.

Once again Alessandro Florenzi captained the side.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

1' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! A golazo from Cengiz Under to open his account! The winger cuts inside from the right and hits a rasping low drive from 20 yards that flies into the bottom corner! Get in! 0-1!

6' - Another good chance for Roma - Cengiz heads the ball into the path of Dzeko, who controls and volleys narrowly over from inside the box!

15' - Another close call for Roma, as a dangerous inswinging cross is flicked on by the Verona defender ... and Nicolas has to make an important save.

16' - Ryder Matos has space inside the box, but his shot is easily saved by Alisson.

20' - Dzeko flashes narrowly wide with a powerful volley from inside the box. A confident start from the Giallorossi!

33' - A speculative effort from Ryder Matos beats Alisson's full-stretch dive but flies narrowly wide of the far post.

37' - A great move from Roma ends in a fine save from Nicolas. El Shaarawy splits the defence for Dzeko, but the keeper comes out to smother the shot.

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

48' - Early drama as Cengiz is fouled on the edge of the box. Verona boss Fabio Pecchia is incensed ... and the referee sends him to the stands for his protests!

51' - Red card for Roma. Pellegrini is dismissed for a challenge on Matos.

55' - Petkovic fires well over from inside the box.

67' - Matos goes for goal from distance but it's never troubling Alisson. Verona are changing things around: Calvano is on and Seung-Woo Lee is being prepared.

73' - Nicolas makes a fine save to deny Dzeko!

80' - Roma build the play up patiently, before the ball is rolled back to Radja who smashes a shot high and wide from the edge of the box.

90'+2 - A glorious chance opens up for Roma on the counter, thanks to brilliant work from Defrel ... but Nicolas makes another good save to deny Strootman!

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“I’m very pleased to have helped decide the game."I’ve been dreaming of scoring my first goal for a while. We have worked hard during the week to prepare for this game. Now we need to continue like this: I want to score a lot more goals for Roma.”

- Cengiz Under

"We weren't very clinical in the 4-2-3-1 today. We deserved to win, but you can't afford to struggle like this in every game. It was important to get the victory and we had a sense of compactness back when forced to play with ten men for more than 40 minutes."

- Eusebio Di Francesco

What's next?

The Giallorossi now have a week to prepare for their next fixture, as they host another struggling side, Benevento, at the Stadio Olimpico.

HELLAS VERONA 0-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Cengiz Under (1')

Red cards: Pellegrini (51')

Hellas Verona: Nicolas; Ferrari, Caracciolo, Vukovic, Fares, Romulo, Buchel, Valoti, Aarons, Matos, Petkovic.

Roma: Alisson, Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov, Pellegrini, Strootman, Nainggolan, Cengiz (Gerson), Dzeko (Defrel), El Shaarawy (Perotti).