Serie A | Roma 3-1 Genoa – De Rossi dismantled on Olimpico return
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Manu Kone of AS Roma celebrates after netting the team’s second goal during the Serie A clash between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on December 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma moved ahead of Juventus into the Serie A top four following a 3-1 win over Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa at Stadio Olimpico on Monday night: Matias Soule, Manu Kone, Evan Ferguson, and Jeff Ekhator were the scorers. This match held special meaning for both head coaches: Gian Piero Gasperini served eight years as manager of Genoa over two terms, while former Giallorossi captain De Rossi returned to the Stadio Olimpico for the first time since his dismissal as Roma head coach last September. The Giallorossi entered this match after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Juventus before the holiday. Gian Piero Gasperini was again without Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui, both participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. Tommaso Baldanzi was also absent due to illness, but Artem Dovbyk made a return to the bench. Genoa had to play without goalkeeper Nicola Leali following his early red card versus Atalanta last weekend, and Alessandro Marcandalli was replaced in the back three by Leo Ostigaard in De Rossi’s sole alteration. You can follow the match’s developments on the Football Italia Liveblog. ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Matias Soule with his AS Roma teammates celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on December 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) It was Matias Soule who sent the home crowd into jubilation less than 15 minutes in. Following a clearance by Jan Ziolkowski at the halfway line, a desperate header from Johan Vasquez fell perfectly for Soule, who finished it off to make it 1-0. The hosts extended their lead just under five minutes later when Kone found himself in the center of the area to convert a ball crossed in from the right by Gianluca Mancini. The Frenchman’s initial shot took a significant deflection off Morten Frendrup before finding its way into the bottom corner. Roma owed their third goal to Ruslan Malinovskyi’s mistake in possession near the edge of the area, which allowed Soule to seize the ball from 15 yards out. His shot was initially saved, but Ferguson remained alert and raced in to tap the rebound home for 3-0. ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma scores the team’s third goal during the Serie A clash between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on December 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Just before halftime, it nearly became 4-0: Kone forced a save from Sommariva, who tipped the shot onto the post, and although the Frenchman followed up successfully, he was deemed to have fouled the goalkeeper in the process. After the first half, it was virtually impossible for Genoa to salvage anything from this match. Roma has not lost a game from a leading position this season, let alone after going up 3-0. Bryan Cristante came nearest to adding a fourth for the Giallorossi in the second half with a well-struck half-volley from the edge of the area, which required an outstanding save from Daniele Sommariva to tip it around the post for a corner. De Rossi’s side did find a late consolation through second-half substitute Ekhator, whose shot found the net after a significant deflection off Nicolo Pisilli following a deep free-kick from Aaron Martin. Tonight’s outcome sees Roma reclaim fourth place in the Serie A table, pushing Juventus down. Genoa remains just above the relegation zone in 17th place, only two points clear of Hellas Verona, who have a game in hand. ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma celebrates having scored the team’s third goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on December 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) Roma 3-0 Genoa Soule 14’, Kone 19’, Ferguson 31’, Ekhator 87’.
Published: 2025-12-29 21:41:00
Source: football-italia.net
