The Talking Point: How 76-second blitz stunned Verona

First, Gianluca Mancini rose highest to steer Lorenzo Pellegrini’s corner into the far post, before Henrikh Mkhitaryan marked his return to the side with a fine finish as the Giallorossi upped the ante in clinical fashion.

Just seven minutes later, they had a third through Borja Mayoral as Verona were left stunned by the Three Ms of their hosts, but it was the dizzying rapidity of Roma’s opening brace that ultimately put the game beyond the visitors.

19:51 MINUTES

Mancini is proving to be a real threat from set-pieces this season and each of his three league goals have all come courtesy of his head - making the 24-year-old one of Roma’s most dangerous attacking forces in dead ball situations.

His strength and leap made light work of his marker at the back post but Mancini’s header was far from easy - with the centre-back taking aim from almost the edge of the box and having to put all the pace back into his effort.

Mancini did this superbly, directing the ball back towards goal into an area which meant Verona goalkeeper Marco Silvestri didn’t know whether to come or go - leaving him caught in two minds as the ball settled into the far corner.

Before Verona could regroup and make an attempt to draw level, they found themselves 2-0 down.

21:07 MINUTES

After almost immediately regaining possession from Verona’s restart, Jordan Veretout dissected the Gialloblu defence with a stunning through ball that caught the away side cold and set Mayoral away on goal.

Silvestri rushed from his line in an attempt to beat the Spaniard to the ball but Mayoral was too quick and showed excellent composure to hold onto possession and look for teammates in support.

Mkhitaryan led the cavalry - as he and Lorenzo Pellegrini so often do from their roles behind the central striker - and smartly lashed the ball back where Silvestri came from as the ‘keeper was outfoxed racing back to his goal.

It was another perfectly executed finish from Paulo Fonseca’s men and was a welcome display of ruthlessness that set up back-to-back Serie A victories as they moved back into third-place.