Five Things We Learned: Roma make life hard before passing Chievo test

Roma recorded a pulsating 5-3 win against Chievo at the weekend, as Stephan El Shaarawy, Mohamed Salah and Edin Dzeko all got on the scoresheet.

Our columnist looks at five key points from the contest…

Despite nervy start Roma show fighting spirit

After a nervy opening against Rolando Maran's plucky Chievo, Roma's comeback qualities were again on show as they came from behind twice to eventually prevail 5-3. In what was a thrilling contest, the brilliance of Salah, Dzeko and El Shaarawy proved vital in the Giallorossi being able to turn around the deficit and remain in pole position to finish second.

“It would be better if we didn't swerve at all," coach Luciano Spalletti noted afterwards, when asked about the lurching display. "We could have conceded more goals when we were behind today because we left ourselves open.

"When the pressure is on and you have everything to lose like today, it's easy to get carried away and then you're no longer able to play the way you want. Today's win could mean a lot for our season."

Focus immediately switches to Genoa

With Napoli comfortably disposing of Fiorentina as the Giallorossi returned home on Saturday night, the two teams remain separated by just a solitary point heading into the final game of the season.

But Roma hold the ascendancy - and the tiebreaker, should the sides finish level - and will be fully motivated to defeat Genoa (who have nothing left to play for) and ensure their automatic passage into next season's Champions League group stage.

Following their failure to progress beyond FC Porto at the beginning of this season in their Champions League qualifier, finishing second would be hugely important.

El Shaarawy purple patch continues

Following crucial goals against AC Milan and Juventus, El Shaarawy kept up his exciting purple patch of form by bagging a brace in Roma's win over the Veronese outfit.

Elusive, unpredictable on the dribble and full of energy, the 24-year-old was a constant thorn in Chievo's side on his way to having a profound impact on the contest. Having now notched four goals and three assists in his last six matches, El Shaarawy continues to offer a fine reminder of his undoubted talent.

“It's a good spell for me generally, not just my football," he said afterwards. "It's a special period and I just hope it lasts. Hopefully there'll be an Italy call-up too because that's really important to me.

"We need to focus on Genoa now, though. Securing second place would be huge for us."

Strootman's crucial role

On his return to the starting XI, Kevin Strootman put in superb shift from a slightly more attack-minded midfield post. Using the extra freedom afforded to him, the Dutchman did an exceptional job of finding space in the final third, connecting Roma's midfield and attack and making penetrating runs in behind.

Meanwhile, his defensive energy and intensity from higher up saw him unsettle and disrupt many a Chievo attacking move.

Aside from his two well-supplied assists, his four chances created, eight ball recoveries, two tackles and three aerial duels won aptly illustrated his multi-dimensional showing.

Chievo’s pressing

In the first half especially, Chievo's pressing scheme did a top job of making life difficult for Roma to get their passing game going. From their 4-4-2 - with a midfield diamond that Spalletti had fixated on in the build-up - the home side effectively covered the centre, while doing a terrific job of man-marking Roma's two central defenders, Federico Fazio and Kostas Manolas, in order to rush their decisions.

Although the success of this tactic lessened as the game wore on, they nonetheless deserved credit for their efforts here.

"Chievo started off very strong. They were really aggressive, tough to break down and pressed us very high," El Shaarawy acknowledged.