Pescara 1-4 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

On the day that Monchi was appointed as the club's new sporting director, the Spaniard was in the stands to watch the Giallorossi play some scintillating football, as Luciano Spalletti's side scored four impressive team goals to put the hosts to the sword.

The visitors dominated the first half but needed two goals in the last two minutes in order to go into the break with the advantage they deserved. First Kevin Strootman tapped home from Stephan El Shaarawy's pass (following Leo Paredes's exquisite long ball), before Radja Nainggolan lashed home after good work from Edin Dzeko.

Mohamed Salah - who had a goal ruled out after barely 90 seconds - then wrapped up the points three minutes after the restart, as he curled home in pinpoint fashion after another impressive passing move that involved Emerson, El Shaarawy and Nainggolan.

The Egyptian then scored his second on the hour mark after another unselfish pass from El Shaarawy, as Roma really threatened to run riot.

In the end, with the result secured (and perhaps one eye turning to Sunday's derby against Lazio), the team somewhat coasted to the final whistle, with Pescara grabbing a late consolation through Ahmed Benali.

The result leaves Roma eight points behind league leaders Juventus, and four points ahead of Napoli in the race for Champions League qualification.

Team selection

Leandro Paredes returned to Roma's starting line-up to anchor the midfield alongside Kevin Strootman.

Spalletti opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation for the game, with Stephan El Shaarawy, Mohamed Salah and Radja Nainggolan supporting Edin Dzeko in attack.

Emerson Palmieri also returned to the starting XI after an injury lay-off.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

2' - GOA... no! Salah volleys home emphatically and begins celebrating ... but then the flag appears for offside!

6' - Close again! A scampering Salah run opens the space for El Shaarawy - but his low shot is saved by the keeper.

11' - A beautiful low cross from Rudiger is just steered over by El Shaarawy. Another good chance created!

18' - Fiorillo throws himself at the feet of Dzeko to thwart the striker. Roma piling on the pressure!

20' - BAR! Exquisite stuff from Radja - he chests the ball down and thumps a volley off the woodwork. Deserved more!

44' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Deadlock broken: Paredes opens the space for El Shaarawy, who runs on and then feeds Strootman for the comfortable finish!

45' - GOAL! THE LEAD DOUBLED INSTANTLY! RADJA! Dzeko cuts the ball back for his midfielder on the counter, and he makes no mistake! 0-2!

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

48' - GOAL! GREAT STRIKE! Salah rounds off a slick team move - one that involves Emerson, Radja and El Shaarawy - with a calm curling finish around Fiorillo! 0-3!

57' - All Roma at the moment ... moments apart, El Shaarawy and then Dzeko fire shots fractionally wide!

60' - GOAL! AGAIN FROM SALAH! From one end to the other! A Pescara corner is stolen, and from the counter El Shaarawy again unselfishly feeds Salah for the finish! 0-4!

76' - Szczesny makes a good stop to deny Caprari!

83' - Goal for Pescara: Benali sneaks into the six-yard box and prods home for a consolation goal for the hosts... 1-4.

88' - Post. A powerful free-kick from Biraghi nearly beats Szczesny.

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“It’s an exceptional achievement for us to finish second. I’m always wary of matches like tonight against Pescara. You have everything to lose, while your opponents have a calm mind and fresh legs. It can be tough – they counter all the time, you start thinking you’re in control, you try and nip at their heels and press high and all of a sudden they nick a goal.

- Luciano Spalletti

“We could have been a lot further ahead in the first half, but we missed a lot of chances. When we got to 4-0 we tried to take the sting out of the game and manage possession, because we’ve used up a lot of energy this year. We had more chances in the second half too and it’s a shame we conceded that goal.”

- Radja Nainggolan

What's next?

The Giallorossi now have a huge run of fixtures ahead - starting with a particularly massive contest, as they meet Lazio in the second derby of the league campaign this Sunday.

Games against AC Milan (away) and Juventus (home) then follow, as the Giallorossi gear up for the final games of the campaign.

PESCARA 1-4 ROMA

Goalscorers: Benali (83'); Strootman (44'), Nainggolan (45'), Salah (48', 60')

Pescara: Fiorillo; Zampano, Coda, Bovo, Biraghi; Coulibaly, Muntaru; Memushaj; Benali, Bahebeck, Caprari.

Roma: Szczesny; Emerson (Jesus), Fazio, Manolas, Rudiger; Paredes (Perotti), Strootman; El Shaarawy, Nainggolan, Salah; Dzeko (Grenier).