Roma 3-2 Sampdoria: Match report, reaction and key statistics

An utterly unpredictable afternoon ended in a fashion all Roma fans would have wished for – as Francesco Totti scored a penalty with the last kick of the game to give the Giallorossi a 3-2 win over Sampdoria.

It had all looked like being so straightforward when Mohamed Salah gave Luciano Spalletti’s side the lead after just eight minutes, but goals from Luis Muriel and Fabio Quagliarella ensured the visitors had the lead at half-time at the Stadio Olimpico.

Torrential rain during the break then forced the game to be suspended for over an hour – it took three pitch inspections for the referee to give the green light – but when the game finally did restart it was an entirely different Roma that emerged.

Totti and Dzeko were both thrown on, and they would prove the architects of a memorable comeback.

The Giallorossi created chance after chance in the second half, but time and again Sampdoria goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano provided equal to them – making some sublime saves. He was beaten just twice: the first coming on the hour-mark, as Dzeko did brilliantly to latch onto Totti’s throughball, round the goalkeeper and tap home.

That set the stage for a dramatic final 30 minutes, which duly became a nerve-wracking last five. And, at the death, Roma would find a winner – as Dzeko was fouled inside the box and awarded a penalty for the second home game in succession.

Only one man was going to take it, and Totti made no mistake – driving the ball emphatically into the bottom corner to clinch a brilliant win.

Rain forces temporary match suspension

Heavy rainfall at the Stadio Olimpico forced the game to be suspended for over an hour following half-time.

Horrendous weather - starting with a thunderstorm, before progressing to torrential rain and even hail - began shortly the break in the game against Marco Giampaolo's side.

The players completed the first half and returned to the dressing rooms but, as conditions continued to worsen, the start of the second half was delayed and the contest temporarily suspended.

Three pitch inspections were required from the referee and his officials before it was decided shortly before 17:00 that the game would resume.

Team selection

Thomas Vermaelen missed out on the matchday squad due to injury, meaning Juan Jesus slotted into the defence alongside Kostas Manolas. Alessandro Florenzi – continuing as captain – played at right-back, with Bruno Peres on the opposite flank.

With Daniele De Rossi getting the nod alongside Radja Nainggolan and Kevin Strootman the only other major decision came in attack – as Mohamed Salah, Diego Perotti and Stephan El Shaarawy continued as the main trident.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

6’ – Muriel shoots low and wide from distance

6’ – Quagliarella shoots at Szczesny again after a sloppy clearance.

8’ – GOAL! Roma lead! Perotti cuts inside from the left and chips a ball into the far post that Salah meets perfectly! 1-0!

9’ – Chance. Salah turns provider – but El Shaarawy fires over!

13’ – Radja lashes a wild effort over from the edge of the box.

18’ – Goal. Sampdoria equalise. Muriel scores a brilliant first-time volley from inside the box, after Regini spots him. 1-1.

20’ – A good save from Szczesny, low to his right to deny Muriel.

41’ – Goal. Sampdoria lead Quagliarella pokes home from a corner as the ball falls to him inside the box. 1-2.

44’ – As the rain falls heavily, Szczesny makes a good save to deny Quagliarella’s backheel from close range.

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See more images in our match gallery.

SECOND HALF

46’ – Strootman shot brilliantly saved by Viviano after sublime team move!

49’ – Peres fires low and wide from the edge of the box.

58’ – Dzeko breaks through but Viviano tips his effort wide.

61’ – GOAL! Roma equalise! Totti plays the ball over the top, and the Bosnian does brilliantly to drag the ball around the goalkeeper and score! 2-2!

66’ – Chance! Strootman puts in the cross and Salah meets it, but the defender gets a touch and it puts the Egyptian off!

66’ – Great chance! Salah puts in a sublime cross for Dzeko, but the striker’s first-time effort is stopped by Viviano with his legs!

67’ – Great save! Viviano continues to impress, stopping Salah at his near post this time!

73’ – Juan Jesus wins the ball, Totti runs with it and Dzeko shoots – but it’s over!

73’ – Another fine save! Viviano denies Salah again with a remarkable fingertip stop!

77’ – Totti flashes wide with a speculative effort.

80’ – Alvarez wriggles free inside the box, but Szczesny saves.

90' – Iturbe volleys over the bar from a tough angle.

90'+2 – PENALTY! Dzeko turns inside Skriniar and is fouled!

90'+3 – GOAL! ROMA WIN! Totti sends the 'keeper the wrong way to clinch the three points at the death! 3-2!

Key match statistics

See more match statistics in our match centre.

Fan reaction

Roma reaction

“We have lapses and then the captain puts them right. I want four or five [Francesco] Tottis in this team. If I don’t play him people get annoyed at me but my goal is to produce another player like him. This team needs to find a balance and we can do that with the enthusiasm we saw from the fans at the end of the game today or by unearthing more Tottis.

- Luciano Spalletti

“It was the first time I’ve been afraid of missing, because crowning the match with a goal and an assist was the perfect ending. But I couldn’t miss in front of the Curva, in front of my people.”

- Francesco Totti

What's next?

It's the start of Europa League action for Spalletti's side now, as they travel to face Viktoria Plzen in the opening game of Group G on Thursday evening. The game kicks off at 19:00 CEST.

The Giallorossi's next Serie A match sees them take a trip to Florence, as they meet Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemi Franchi at 20:45 CEST on Sunday 18 September.

ROMA 3-2 SAMPDORIA

Goalscorers: Salah (8'), Dzeko (61'), Totti (90'+3); Muriel (18'), Quagliarella (41')

Roma: Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Jesus, Peres; De Rossi, Strootman, Nainggolan (Iturbe); Salah, Perotti (Totti), El Shaarawy (Dzeko).

Sampdoria: Viviano, Sala, Silvestre, Regini, Pavlovic (Dodo (Skriniar)); Barreto, Torreira, Linetty; Alvarez; Quagliarella, Muriel (Budimir).