Latina 0-1 Roma: Fazio wins it on debut with header

Federico Fazio scored on his debut to give Roma a 1-0 win against US Latina at Stadio Domenico Francioni on Wednesday.

Fazio, making his bow for the Giallorossi alongside fellow new arrival Thomas Vermaelen, rose highest inside the box to nod home Francesco Totti's 10th minute corner, a strike that would prove enough to secure victory in the friendly match.

The Serie B side provided a stern test for Luciano Spalletti's squad as they build towards next week's Champions League play-off, although the likes of Totti, Radja Nainggolan and Diego Perotti all had chances to ensure a more comfortable final scoreline.

First half

Perhaps eager to see what they could do in a Roma shirt, Spalletti immediately handed debuts to recent arrivals Fazio and Vermaelen – pairing the duo in central defence and offering Juan Jesus an opportunity to impress at left-back.

There were also starts for Gerson and Juan Iturbe, as Totti – who once again received an exceptional welcome – led both the line and the side.

It was a somewhat slow start to the contest, however, with perhaps the first chance of the game resulting in its opening goal. Fazio was the scorer, the defender using his height to full advantage inside the six-yard box as he put his new side ahead after 10 minutes.

Roma’s attack looked threatening from that point onward, although a second goal would not be immediately forthcoming. Radja Nainggolan stung the palms of Carlo Pinsoglio in the Latina goal with a drive that was perhaps never likely to actually beat him, before Perotti failed to find away around Pinsoglio after Nainggolan and Totti had combined to great effect.

That was perhaps the best chance of the half, although the one the Argentine created for his captain a short while later was not far off: Iturbe dummying a square ball to confuse the defence as Totti narrowly failed to find the far corner from 12 yards out.

Latina had a few forays forward but created little of note to test Alisson, with Vermaelen dealing well on a couple of occasions with the threat of Paponi and Corvia.

Second half

Spalletti did not make any changes at half-time, extending the match practice for his chosen XI. Perhaps unsurprisingly chances from open play remained at a premium, although the Giallorossi did start to show a sustained threat from set pieces.

Firstly it was Iturbe who headed narrowly over from Leandro Paredes’ free-kick, before Vermaelen failed to emulate his centre-back partner as he glanced wide of the far post from Perotti’s inviting cross. Another goalmouth scramble ensued after a dangerous delivery from Florenzi, as the visitors began to increase the pressure.

Amid those chances Emerson came on for compatriot Gerson, as Roma briefly shifted to three at the back. Spalletti played with that system for a few minutes, before making wholesale changes to his side for the final 20 minutes.

The likes of Daniele De Rossi, Stephan El Shaarawy and Kevin Strootman all entered the fray, with Mohamed Salah’s pace also stretching the game. The Egyptian got in behind the defence almost immediately to supply Strootman, but the Dutchman’s strike was well saved by Pinsoglio.

The Latina goalkeeper then dived low to his left to keep out El Shaarawy’s attempt, keeping his side within one goal as the game entered its closing stages.

Fazio then had one final chance to finish off his debut in remarkable fashion, but he flicked over with his outstretched boot from another set-piece.

And, when Iturbe had a penalty shout turned down in the closing stages, with his appeals went Roma’s last chance to add another goal.

Roma starting XI: Alisson, Florenzi, Fazio, Vermaelen, Jesus, Paredes, Nainggolan, Gerson, Iturbe, Totti, Perotti

Substitutes used: Emerson, De Rossi, Manolas, El Shaarawy, Strootman, Salah, Vainqueur, Gyomber

Latina starting XI: Pinsoglio, Brosco, Dellafiore, Garcia Tena, Bruscagin, De Vitis, Moretti, Mariga, Scaglia, Corvia, Paponi