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The Giallorosse largely had captain Elisa Bartoli to thank for the victory – the full-back winning the penalty for Andressa Alves’ 10th minute opener, before firing home herself from close range just four minutes later.
It was Andressa’s first-ever goal for the club, with that early advantage eventually proving more than enough for Roma to clinch victory and end a two-match losing streak.
“It probably wasn’t our best performance, but it’s an important three points for us,” Andressa said afterwards.
“I’m pleased to get my first goal for the club but I know I can offer a lot more.”
With AC Milan and Fiorentina both losing this weekend, Roma are now just two points off second in the table, although they remain seven points adrift of leaders Juventus.
“Getting the three points was vital today – so it’s great we did that, but obviously I’m not completely satisfied,” Bavagnoli said.
“After the opening few minutes we knew we could control the game but for some reason we let the intensity drop.”
In front of supporters at Stadio Tre Fontane, Roma started brightly and got their reward almost immediately – as Bartoli was fouled inside the box after a trademark bursting run in behind the defence.
Andressa calmly stepped up and slotted home on that occasion – a milestone for the Brazilian summer arrival, who seemed delighted to finally open her account for the club.
Bartoli then got herself on the scoresheet soon after, as Vanessa Bernauer’s deep free-kick was cleared only as far as the Italy international - who needed no second invitation to thump home.
After that the Giallorosse continued to control proceedings, although Tavagnacco also troubled Camelia Ceasar in the Roma goal on occasions.
A third goal would perhaps have killed off the contest, but instead the Giallorosse were made to focus until the end to see things out.
Roma face Inter Milan next weekend.
“I need to work out why we weren’t able to up the tempo – perhaps after working so hard this week [in training] that had an effect,” Bavagnoli added.
“I will think about a few changes – because we’re training hard at the moment yet today we lacked sparkle.”
See more photos from the game in our gallery.
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