Opinion: Three standout performers against Fiorentina

It means the fate of fifth place remains in Roma’s hands, with one victory from their remaining two games enough to guarantee qualification for the group stages of next season’s Europa League.

We’ve picked out three of the best individual Roma performances from a vital 2-1 win...

ALEKSANDAR KOLAROV

Roma’s current six-game unbeaten run coinciding with Paulo Fonseca’s switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation is no coincidence, and Kolarov has been a key component of that recent success.

The 34-year-old has looked a natural centre-half since moving inside from his favoured left-back berth for the win over Verona, and his superb block to deny Dusan Vlahovic with less than half an hour to go - and with the score still 1-1 - kept Roma level; allowing the Giallorossi to push for the winner they deserved.

Not only did Kolarov make that crucial intervention, but he also recovered possession seven times and made more forward passes (75) than any other player on the pitch.

JORDAN VERETOUT

The coolest man at the Olimpico, Veretout came back to haunt his former club as he twice slotted beyond Pietro Terracciano from 12 yards to make sure all three points stayed in Rome.

While Veretout’s two penalties - especially his 87th minute winner - will make the headlines, his all-round performance was eye-catching on its own, even when separated from those crucial spot kicks.

Veretout was the heartbeat of the Roma midfield, setting the tempo as he completed 51 of 55 passes (91%) and created five chances for his teammates - a number only matched by Leonardo Spinazzola on either side.

EDIN DZEKO

Roma’s captain - and top scorer - may not have got on the scoresheet against Fiorentina but his contribution to the cause goes far beyond his productivity in front of goal.

As the focal point of the Roma attack, it’s up to Dzeko to not only lead the line but also defend from the front and bring into play the supporting cast of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lorenzo Pellegrini from deep, as well as Spinazzola and Bruno Peres out wide.

He did all that and then some in a performance built on hard work and sacrifice - in a display perhaps summed up by his efforts to reach the ball ahead of Terracciano and win the decisive penalty at the death.