Roma secured their first Champions League League Phase win with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava. Hermoso opened the scoring in the 21st minute, heading home after a header from Ghilardi from a free kick drawn by Pellegrini. Molina doubled the lead, and after the break Pisilli made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute, working off Malen's run. Malen then converted a penalty won by Wesley in the 58th minute to complete the scoring.
The result came in a match that never looked in doubt. The article describes Slovan as clearly inferior in quality and intensity, a side that would likely struggle to hold a place in Serie A. Roma's credit, it argues, lies in not allowing a comfortable fixture to become complicated, attacking throughout without any drop in tension. The win arrives after a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce and a defeat to Real Madrid, in which a 3-1 lead became 3-4 within minutes, so the three points were close to mandatory. The four goals could prove valuable in the league table's goal difference.
Gasperini started Ghilardi and Balerdi in defence, Molina on the flank, and Rodrigo Mora behind Malen alongside Pellegrini. The article says Gasperini wants a wide Roma, with as many players as possible genuinely involved rather than sitting on the bench, a principle seen against Genoa and again against Slovan. Following the Real Madrid defeat, Roma beat Genoa 2-0 and Slovan 4-0, scoring six goals without conceding, and the article judges that the Real result did not leave fears or lingering doubts. Hermoso's goal reflected the defenders' growing role in both build-up and finishing.
The main concern was injury. Pellegrini had to leave the pitch with a muscle problem. Dybala is still sidelined and Koné is unavailable, narrowing Roma's attacking options and rotation. Mora, Soulé, Malen and Castro are the forwards currently available, and Gasperini must now assess the extent of Pellegrini's problem.
Roma's next assignment is Saturday's trip to Napoli, coached by Allegri, at the Maradona. The article calls it a test of a different intensity, quality and pressure, and a chance to show how far Roma's growth has progressed.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Quattro gol, zero dubbi. La Roma travolge lo Slovan Bratislava e si prende la prima vittoria nella League Phase di Champions League nel modo più netto possibile. Una partita senza storia, indirizzata fin dai primi minuti e dominata fino al triplice fischio, con un divario tecnico apparso…”
Read the full article in Italian at GialloRossi.net.