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

Roma kicked off 2017 with a hard-fought and dogged 1-0 victory over Genoa on Sunday, with pretty attacking football making way for a more pragmatic - but effective - approach.

In the end an unfortunate own goal for Genoa's Armando Izzo was all that separated the two sides, as his deflection sent Bruno Peres' driven cross into the home net just five minutes before half-time.

The Giallorossi had other opportunities to get on the scoresheet but in truth they only infrequently threatened substitute goalkeeper Eugenio Lamanna (although Edin Dzeko did hit the post), as Wojciech Szczesny ended up making a couple of world-class saves to prevent Genoa grabbing an equaliser.

Come the end of the year it may not be a 90 minutes that lives in the memory but, at a ground where Juventus and AC Milan have already fallen this season, it was a victory not to be sniffed at.

With cold conditions in the past week contributing to create a pitch that was hardly conducive to a slick passing game, Spalletti seemed to pick a team to grind out a performance - and the players duly delivered for their coach.

The Giallorossi started brightly but Genoa impressed in the opening stages with their counter-attacking threat, something that seemed to give the visitors pause for thought. It was not until Izzo's unfortunate intervention - deflecting home after Peres had flashed a cross into the box during a period of sustained pressure - that Roma really seemed to settle.

They had their chances, with Nainggolan perhaps missing the best of them as he flashed over from inside the box, but struggled to convert. Genoa were more subdued in front of goal but nevertheless tested Szczesny, who made one particularly brilliant reflex stop to keep out Ninkovic's deflected free-kick.

The second half saw more of the same, with Szczesny once again preserving the clean sheet and ensuring the three points. Dzeko flashed a first-time shot against the post just before the hour-mark but, once the game entered the closing stages, a rear-guard action took hold.

Thanks to Szczesny it was successful - the goalkeeper saving his best for last as he dived at full stretch to parry away Ocampos's inventive effort.

It was a magical stop, and a fine way to secure the three points.

Team selection

With Kostas Manolas still recovering from injury and Thomas Vermaelen contending with a calf problem, Spalletti opted to retain his three-man central defence by restoring Juan Jesus to the starting line-up - the Brazilian's first league start for the team since the start of November.

His compatriots Emerson Palmieri and Bruno Peres both also started, meaning Roma retained the sort of tactical flexibility that became the hallmark of their final games of 2016.

Up front, Edin Dzeko once again led the line: with Radja Nainggolan and Diego Perotti in support on either flank.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

2' - Genoa quickly counter after a scramble inside the box. From distance Laxalt forces a good save from Szczesny...

4' - At the other end, an even better save from Perin denies Dzeko from close range! So close to the opener!

9' - Perin seems to have injured himself in the action after denying Dzeko and now has to come off. Lamanna replaces him.

13' - Great chance for Roma! Dzeko plays in Radja, but the midfielder shoots wide of the target from 12 yards!

21' - Dzeko stings the palms of Lamanna from distance. The visitors slowly starting to move the ball around more in midfield.

30' - Perotti's header is on target - but comfortable for Lamanna. A better spell for the Giallorossi.

36' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Strootman drives Roma forward, Genoa fail to clear ... and Bruno Peres' driven first-time cross is touched home by the helpless Izzo!

39' - A wonder save from Szczesny keeps Roma ahead, as Ninkovic's low drive is deflected in front of him! What reflexes!

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See more images in our match gallery.

SECOND HALF

57' - POST! An inviting Radja cross is met by Dzeko at full stretch ... but his shot clatters away off the near post!

69' - A good chance for Dzeko! Strootman flicks it into his path, but the striker is pushed as he shoots and fires over!

76' - A glancing header from Simeone is ultimately well wide ... but that was a decent chance for Genoa.

79' - Pinilla is on for Lazovic - his first real contribution is to blast a 30-yard free-kick well over. Ocampos is booked for diving.

83' - Another remarkable save from Szczesny ... who didn't know the flag was up for offside against Ocampos!

90' - WHAT A SAVE FROM SZCZESNY!! Unbelievable to deny Ocampos, as the forward's spinning volley is tipped over the bar at the death!

Key match statistics

See more match statistics in our match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“We’ve had a few blips on the road, but they’ve all been different. It was a huge match today at a ground where many teams have come and lost. It’s one of the toughest away games of the season and we were excellent.”

- Daniele De Rossi

“The team produced a fantastic performance today, especially in terms of their character, personality and physical presence. We took all of the little shortcomings we’d identified and turned them into strengths to win the match today. You have to hand it to the lads.”

- Luciano Spalletti

What's next?

Another away game now awaits for the Giallorossi, as they travel to Udine to face Udinese next Sunday.

A busy week then follows - Spalletti's side host Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico in the Coppa Italia on 19 January, before welcoming Cagliari to the same venue in the league three days later.

GENOA 0-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Izzo (o.g. 36')

Genoa: Perin (Lamanna); Cofie, Izzo, Burdisso, Simeone, Ocampos, Lazovic (Pinilla), Munoz, Rigoni, Laxalt, Ninkovic (Edenilson).

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