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

After Aleksandar Kolarov and Diego Perotti had played the role of match-winner, this time it was Stephan El Shaarawy's turn - as he delivered another goal of the season contender with a thumping first-half volley.

It was a strike fit to win any game - and so it turned out, with the Giallorossi proving resolute in defence once again as Bologna never looked like grabbing an equaliser.

The result moves Roma to 24 points from 10 games so far this season, temporarily just four points behind league leaders Napoli.

The Giallorossi are back at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday for a crucial Champions League clash against Chelsea.

Team selection

Coach Di Francesco made six changes from the side that won at Torino on Sunday afternoon, with Rick Karsdorp getting his first start for the club in front of the home fans.

Cengiz Under and Gerson also both cacme into the

Key moments

FIRST HALF

14' - Di Francesco gets in behind the defence but his shot is straight at Alisson.

24' - Great attack! El Shaarawy crosses for Dzeko who knocks it back to Defrel ... but the shot is straight at Da Costa!

26' - Dzeko cuts inside from the left and his low shot is deflected just wide of the near post!

28' - Great chance! Dzeko rises highest to meet Pellegrini's corner but steers his header just wide!

32' - WHAT A SAVE ALISSON! The goalkeeper dives to his left to parry away Masina's acrobatic header!

33' - GOAL! WOW! What a strike - take a bow Stephan El Shaarawy!! He meets Pellegrini’s deep corner with a thumping volley into the top corner! 1-0!

38' - ANOTHER CLOSE CALL! This time it is Federico Fazio who barely misses the target with a powerful strike!

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

47' - First chance of the second half... El Shaarawy shoots narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

52' - GOOA... no! Dzeko controls, turns and converts brilliantly ... but the linesman flags for offside!

68' - Petkovic booked for simulation as he tries to win a penalty in the box.

77' - Dzeko creates space for himself on the edge of the box but his shot is easy for Da Costa.

82' - Crucial intervention from Fazio inside the box!

90' - Verdi drives a free-kick high and wide. Four minutes to be added on in this one...

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“I don't think I could have celebrated my birthday any better – not just because I scored but because we won too, our third on the bounce. We've picked up nine points and we've been very solid in keeping three clean sheets."

- Stephan El Shaarawy

“I wouldn't say we won ugly today, nor would I describe our win against Crotone as such. When you create lots of openings it casts a 1-0 win in a different light. We were up against a good Bologna side who came here looking to play the way I expected them to. They caused problems for us with their runs and movement but our backline held up really well. We were very aggressive, even though Bologna always perform well against the big teams.”

- Eusebio Di Francesco

What's next?

Roma now turn their attention to Champions League action - with Premier League champions Chelsea heading to the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night in an important game in Group C.

The next league game in Serie A is an away trip, with the Giallorossi travelling to face Fiorentina next Sunday.

ROMA 1-0 BOLOGNA

Goalscorers: El Shaarawy (33')

Roma: Alisson; Florenzi, Fazio, Jesus, Peres (Moreno); Strootman, De Rossi, Pellegrini; Defrel (Perotti), Dzeko, El Shaarawy (Gerson).

Bologna: Da Costa; Krafth, Gonzalez, Helandaer, Masina; Nagy, Pulgar, Poli, Verdi; Petkovic, Di Francesco.