Destroy Verona 3-1, Roma Reclaim Position 3 From Juventus

JAKARTA - AS Roma has secured the third position of the Italian League standings which Juventus had occupied after destroying guest Verona with a score of 3-1 in the 19th Italian League match at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Sunday local time (Monday WIB).

The capital team's victory was bolstered by their success in scoring three goals in the space of nine minutes to go up 3-0 in the 29th minute thanks to contributions from Gianluca Mancini, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Borja Mayoral. Meanwhile, Ebrima Colley scored Ebrima Colley's reply in the 62nd minute, Antara noted on the official Italian League website.

The third position is now occupied by Rome again with a collection of 40 points, six points behind leaders AC Milan. Verona, who lost to sixth in the league this season, are stuck to ninth on 30 points.

The Giallorossi kicked off from the start, when Borja Mayoral couldn't control Mkhitaryan's through ball. They then ran into trouble when center back Chris Smalling picked up an injury and had to be replaced by former Verona man Marash Kumbulla when the game was only 12 minutes old.

Roma finally broke the deadlock midway through the first half. The corner kicked with accuracy by Mancini who managed to break free from his guard.

Mkhitaryan then doubled Roma's lead two minutes later. Mayoral got a pass and was able to outwit goalkeeper Marco Silvestri, but put him into a tight angle. Mayoral then sent a pass to the Armenian who tucked it into the bottom corner of the Verona goal.

Not long after, the Verona goal conceded again. Lorenzo Pellegrini fired a volley which made it difficult for the Silvestri goalkeeper. The bouncing ball was then struck by Mayoral to give Roma a three-goal lead before 30 minutes.

With the remaining time of the first half, Verona struggled to score a goal back. But they had difficulty creating good chances against the hosts.

After halftime Roma continued to chase the fourth goal, while Verona made many substitutions early in the second half, including playing Kevin Lasagna.

Although Roma had many opportunities to increase their lead through Jordan Veretout, Mkhitaryan and Mayoral, it was Verona who were able to score the goal back. Substitute Ebrima Colley got a pass from the right, and he, who was not guarded, headed the ball which goalkeeper Pau Lopez failed to anticipate.

After that Verona tried to be more aggressive in pressing the host. On the other hand, Roma are more comfortable to maintain the lead without being too eager to chase additional goals until the long whistle sounds.

Roma have tough opponents to hold on to their position when they host Juventus in the next round played on Saturday, February 6. Verona will look to get back to winning ways when they host Udinese a day later.

The composition of players:

AS Roma (3-4-2-1): Pau Lopez, Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling (Marash Kumbulla 12 '), Roger Ibanez, Rick Karsdorp (Carles Perez 86'), Gonzalo Villar (Bryan Cristante 71 '), Jordan Veretout (Amadou Diawara 85 '), Leonardo Spinazziola, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Borja Mayoral (Bruno Peres 86')

Coach: Paulo Fonseca

Verona (3-4-2-1): Marco Silvestri, Pawel Dawidowicz, Koray Guenter, Federico Ceccherini (Iyenoma Udogie 80 '), Marco Davide Faraoni (Federico Dimarco 57'), Adrien Tameze, Ivan Ilic (Daniel Bessa 57 ') , Darko Lazovic, Antonin Barak, Mattia Zaccagni (Ebrima Colley 57 '), Nikola Kalinic (Kevin Lasagna 46')

Coach: Ivan Juric