Opinion: 3 notable performances from the 5-2 win over Benevento

We’ve highlighted three individual Roma performances that stood out from the Giallorossi’s 5-2 win...

BRYAN CRISTANTE

Having been named among the substitutes for the previous two matches, Cristante was back in the side and back to his best against last season's Serie B champions.

Cristante's return meant Fonseca slightly tweaked the 3-4-2-1 that we’ve become accustomed to - as the 25-year-old took up a holding midfield role in front of his back-four, protecting his two centre-halves and allowing Roma possession to transition through their No. 4.

He ended the game where many expected him to start, however - in the centre of defence - and superbly won back possession and then set Carles Perez free to round off the scoring in style, highlighting Cristante’s fine performance in both breaking up opposition attacks and piecing together Roma’s own forays forward.

PEDRO RODRIGUEZ

It’s now two-in-two for the summer arrival, who has immediately looked at home in Fonseca’s front-three - as if he's been part of the furniture for a number of years, not a matter of weeks.

He’s added a new dimension to the Roma attack; looking clinical in front of goal and as comfortable running at defenders from deep as he is darting behind them.

The run that saw Pedro win the spot-kick that Jordan Veretout eventually converted was a prime example of the latter, rounding off another highly impressive performance from the 33-year-old whose first half equaliser came at a crucial juncture.

EDIN DZEKO

It was an historic night for the Roma skipper as his brace took the 34-year-old to 108 Roma goals - the fourth-most of any player in the club’s history.

Dzeko’s double importantly got him up and running for the season too, but it wasn’t just his clinical finishing in front of goal that caught the eye.

Roma’s leading man frequently dropped in the hole to collect possession, bringing with him his marker and creating space for Pedro and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to run into - as highlighted with the Bosnian’s incisive through ball that resulted in his Spanish teammate winning the crucial penalty that led to their side’s third goal.