El Shaarawy unleashed, Roma doesn’t stop

Empoli-Roma 1-3. Sixth consecutive victory for Spalletti’s Giallorossi, who won in Tuscany thanks to El Shaarawy’s brace and Pjanic’s goal. Despite absences and a Dzeko initially sidelined with flu, the Capitolini confirmed their excellent momentum, temporarily bypassing Fiorentina in third place on 53 points. Empoli, without the disqualified Saponara, still at 34.

Roma immediately went ahead at 5′ thanks to a feat by El Shaarawy, who scored with a splendid right-footed shot from outside the box that left Skorupski stunned. The Giallorossi seemed to have the situation under control but conceded the equalizer on the hosts’ first real chance: on 22′ Szczesny repelled a Mario Rui cross over Zukanovic’s body, the ball thanks to a rebound going into the net. However, parity lasts only four minutes: in 27′ Pjanic hits the barrier on a free kick, swoops on the rebound and right-footed pierces a clumsy Skorupski for the second time. It was a labored finish for Spalletti’s team, which lost Nainggolan to injury (Falque took his place).

Resumed, Roma put the game on ice by limiting to a minimum the chances of the Azzurri, who protested at 62′ for a contact in the box between Maccarone and Zukanovic. At 75′ El Shaarawy filed the case: the Pharaoh pounced on Skorupski’s clumsy rebound on Salah’s shot and scored his personal double and fourth goal since his return to Serie A.

Nervousness in the finale, Mario Rui sent off after kicking Rudiger when he was down.