Opinion: 3 notable performances from a clinical win over Genoa

Roma handsomely saw off Genoa on Sunday as Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s hat-trick gave the Giallorossi a 3-1 win at the Luigi Ferraris.

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

BRUNO PERES

The Brazilian is yet to start in Serie A this season with Rick Karsdorp thus far preferred on Peres’ favoured right-flank, but he was summoned from the bench after just 14 minutes to replace the man on the opposing side, Leonardo Spinazzola.

And the 30-year-old put in a fine display from the left that saw Peres provide Mkhitaryan’s crucial second that re-established Roma’s lead as he found joy time and again going forward.

It will please Fonseca that Peres looked a highly able replacement for Spinazzola - a player who has become so crucial to the Giallorossi’s fabulous form - in a position that only has absent 18-year-old Riccardo Calafiori in reserve, although Peres can certainly now be added to that list.

LORENZO PELLEGRINI

With talisman striker Edin Dzeko unfortunately sidelined by coronavirus, Lorenzo Pellegrini wore the armband in the absence of his captain for the second time this season.

The Italy international stepped up to the plate as he led his team to victory; consistently arrowing the ball into Mkhitaryan and Pedro, and arriving late in the box to provide a goalscoring threat of his own in the process.

It’s safe to say Pellegrini has grown in his new role alongside Jordan Veretout in central midfield and this performance further highlighted the 24-year-old’s significant presence - and importance - to the club at such a young age.

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN

Who else but Micki, right?

Genoa can’t say they weren’t given ample warning of the visitors' threat and the intentions of their Armenian schemer long before his first goal - let alone his third - as Mkhitaryan was a constant thorn in the hosts’ side from the very off.

His rocket of a left-footed strike from outside the box early on was only denied by a combination of ‘keeper and crossbar, and it came as little surprise when Mkhitaryan put the Giallorossi ahead - even if he won’t have scored too many headers down the years.

Mkhitaryan’s movement was superb to evade the attentions of the Genoa defence before nestling his header home and he was just as clinical with his second, while his third was joyous; sealing a hat-trick that showed Mkhitaryan is more than capable of providing a crucial cutting edge at the top of the Roma attack in the absence of Dzeko.