Roma hits back at Bologna, Gasperini back in Champions League race

Roma wins in Bologna and gets back in the race for the Champions League: Gasperini’s team wins 2-0 with goals from the usual Malen and El Ayanoui and climbs to 61 points, -2 from fourth-place Juventus committed on Sunday at San Siro against Milan. Boos for Italiano’s lineup, which suffers its third defeat in the last five games and has to practically say goodbye to the European cups.

First half of great authority for Roma, which closes in a double lead at the Dall’Ara after the first 45′ of play. Malen opened the scoring at 7′ and signed his 11th league goal thanks to El Ayanoui’s assist after Wesley’s decisive recovery. While the Rossoblù struggled to create chances the Giallorossi went close to doubling the score again with Malen at 26′ At 32′ Bologna finally showed itself with Ndicka from the sides of Svilar, who saved for a corner. Before halftime Bologna’s defense makes another mistake and Gasperini’s team doubles through El Ayanoui: Malen returns the favor to the Moroccan, who makes it 2-0 and puts the result on ice.

Fisks from Bologna fans, at the beginning of the second half Italiano tries to give the breakthrough by inserting Zortea and Odgaard for Castro and Miranda, while Gasperini gives space to Rensch in place of Celik. The hosts try to play the game while Roma struggles. At 60′ Orsolini hits the crossbar, at 65′ Italiano is forced to replace Joao Mario due to a physical problem, in comes De Silvestri.

The match drags on: Bologna fails to create any sharp chances, Roma is fine with it and manages. At the triple whistle, the Giallorossi take the three points and get a glimpse of fourth place again. Ninth home defeat for Bologna, contested by its public.