Roma 5-1 CSKA Sofia: Hosts overcome slow start to run riot

The Giallorossi opened their Europa Conference League account in some style, as Lorenzo Pellegrini (2), Stephan El Shaarawy, Gianluca Mancini and late substitute Tammy Abraham all got on the scoresheet at the Stadio Olimpico.

Those strikes - all of them received delightedly by a sold-out crowd - more than cancelled out Graham Carey's opener, after the striker had given CSKA a surprise lead with a rasping finish.

At that point it threatened to become a slightly embarrassing night for Jose Mourinho's side, but two sumptuous strikes from Pellegrini and El Shaarawy quickly ensured the Giallorossi were ahead before the break.

And in the second half they dominated almost exclusively, as Pellegrini grabbed his second - after great work from Riccardo Calafiori - to effectively put the game beyond doubt.

A tap-in from Mancini and a clinical finish from Abraham then added some gloss to proceedings in the closing stages, with the Olimpico in full voice throughout.

The Giallorossi are back in Serie A action at the weekend - they travel up north to face Hellas Verona.

There next Europa Conference League appointment is away to Zorya Luhansk in two weeks' time.

ROMA 5-1 CSKA SOFIA

SCORERS: Pellegrini (25', 62'), El Shaarawy (38'), Mancini (82'), Abraham (85'); Carey (10')

ROMA (4-2-3-1): Rui Patricio; Karsdorp (Ibanez), Mancini, Smalling, Calafiori (Kumbulla); Diawara (Cristante), Villar (Veretout); Perez, Pellegrini (Abraham), El Shaarawy; Shomurodov

CSKA SOFIA (4-4-2): Busatto; Turitsov (Donchev), Mattheij, Galabov, Mazikou; Yomov (Bai), Muhar, Lam, Wildschut; Carey, Krastev