Opinion: 3 notable performances from 5-0 win over Cluj

Roma were impressive as they swept Cluj aside in the Europa League on Thursday night as goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Roger Ibanez, Borja Mayoral (two) and Pedro clinched a 5-0 victory that sent the Giallorossi top of Group A.

We’ve picked out three individual Roma performances that stood out from a convincing win…

ROGER IBANEZ

Making his first Europa League appearance of the season - and only the third of his young career in Europe - Ibanez was excellent throughout as he took up the central role of Roma’s back-three.

His defensive prowess, however, is well known and it was his maiden professional goal - courtesy of a forceful header that met Jordan Veretout’s inviting corner to put Roma into a 2-0 lead inside half an hour - that caught the eye.

The 21-year-old was clearly delighted to get on the scoresheet for the first time in yellow and red, dedicating his goal in gleeful celebration to his pregnant partner on a night that the Roma centre-back will remember for some time to come.

TOMASSO MILANESE

Roma fans will have been intrigued when 18-year-old Milanese's number 62 came up with 16 minutes remaining, as the Italian teenager replaced Jordan Veretout to slot into Paulo Fonseca's midfield for his professional debut.

And as far as first impressions go, Milanese's was memorable as the Italy Under-18 international - having been named in Roma's Europa League matchday squad for the third time in succession this season - took his opportunity with both hands.

Milanese, who has already scored two goals and provided two more assists in the Primavera side's perfect start to the season after six matches, showed a sublime weight of pass to free Pedro for Roma's fifth as he capped off a night that clearly caught even him something by surprise.

BORJA MAYORAL

The Spaniard, who joined the club on-loan from Real Madrid this summer, has been eased into life at the Olimpico by Fonseca and both will be delighted that the 23-year-old striker opened his Giallorossi account against Cluj.

Mayoral has now started all three of Roma’s Europa League games and not only will his brace be a major boost to his confidence, but it also shows Fonseca that his young striker can help ease the goalscoring burden on 34-year-old captain Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko will need to be rested intermittently over the course of a long campaign and if Mayoral can supplement the goals in the Bosnian’s absence, he will soon also be challenging his skipper for a starting berth in Serie A.