Keys to Victory: Second straight 4-0 win for Roma Women

Much like the previous week’s win by the same scoreline over Empoli, Roma took the lead quickly – courtesy of captain Elisa Bartoli’s first goal of the season – before the advantage was doubled 10 minutes in via a wonder goal from Manuela Giugliano.

Agnese Bonfantini made it 3-0 inside the first half hour with her second goal in two games, as Roma continued to dominate. And in the second half, there was time for substitute Amalie Thestrup to get in on the act and notch her first goal for the club to complete another resounding win.

Key Moment

Having started her Roma career brightly, it was only a matter of time before Giugliano scored her first goal for the club. And what a goal it was.

Receiving the ball 25 yards out from goal, the midfielder took one touch to set herself up before letting fly with a looping shot. The opposing goalkeeper had no chance of reaching the ball as it sailed into the top corner.

It was a well-deserved moment for the 22-year-old, who has made a telling difference to Roma’s midfield in her short time at the club so far. And the location of her first goal for the Giallorosse was fitting as well – it was in Verona, where she enjoyed her most prolific season in front of goal in 2016-17. Now, she is off the mark for Roma, and will be looking to add more of the same to her highlight reel.

Key Player

There were a number of impressive individual performances that helped Roma impose their dominance, with Vanessa Bernauer growing into her new role as a mezz’ala and Tecla Pettenuzzo looking more and more confident in the defence. But if there was one player whose contributions to the game were more decisive than the rest, it was Annamaria Serturini.

Despite her lack of a goal or assist, the winger had a hand in each of the first three goals. The corner which led to the opener resulted from her positive run down the left wing, while it was Serturini who played in the cross that was headed out to Giugliano for the second goal.

The third goal further demonstrated her quality and intelligence from wide areas. Surging down the left wing after battling to win back possession deep inside her own half, last season’s top scorer turned provider again after beating her marker with her blistering pace. Smartly playing the ball into the space into which Lindsey Thomas was running, her pass picked out her fellow attacker, who duly squared it to leave Bonfantini with a simple finish.

Serturini’s set-up required great vision and spatial awareness, plus an understanding of the movements of her teammates – happening all too quickly for the Verona defence to be able to react. To execute it so well was yet another sign of how reliable the Italian is when Roma are on the attack.

Key Decision

For only the second time in her spell in charge of Roma, Betty Bavagnoli named an unchanged line-up for the game against Verona – a testament to the strength in depth that the coach has always had at her disposal.

Her decision to keep things the same following on from the Empoli clash was perfectly vindicated, as the game followed a similar pattern. The lead was taken early, and doubled shortly after, mirroring exactly what had happened a week earlier – before Roma went on to match the impressive scoreline.

Bavagnoli continues to show that she is not afraid of making big decisions, leaving star players like Andressa Alves and Giada Greggi out of the starting XI. In doing so, she has created an all-for-one team spirit among the group, which is helping Roma to unify as a squad and translate the mentality of togetherness onto the pitch.

Key Fact

Ever since replacing Rosalia Pipitone in goal, Camelia Ceasar has had big gloves to fill. Three games into her Roma career, the summer signing is beginning to blossom, having yet to concede a goal.

Helped by an ever-improving defence in front of her – with Pettenuzzo establishing herself at the heart of the action and Federica Di Criscio showing her experience – the three successive clean sheets that Ceasar has kept is a new record for the club.

Never before had Roma Women repeated the same scoreline in two consecutive games. Hence, it makes for positive reading that they have done so by winning 4-0 twice on the trot. The momentum is building and the goals are flowing, as the club look to continue their challenge near the top of the table.

For the second week running, Roma end the matchday in third place – the highest position they have ever reached. Clearly, this team is heading in only one direction – and that is up.