AS Roma 2 - 0 Genoa : Roma move into second

Posted Sunday, May 03, 2015 by PA

Roma climbed to second place in the Serie A table with a 2-0 home triumph over Genoa on Sunday afternoon.

Seydou Doumbia put the hosts on their way in the 35th minute before Alessandro Florenzi doubled Roma's lead seconds from time to condemn Genoa to their 10th defeat of the season.

The outcome at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma's second straight win, lifted the Giallorossi two points above city rivals Lazio.

Lazio, however, have an opportunity to leapfrog Roma into second if they win at Atalanta later on Sunday.

The top two teams in Serie A will qualify directly for next season's Champions League.

Genoa could not produce the same performance that saw them win 3-1 at AC Milan on Wednesday but remained in the hunt for a European berth nonetheless.

Roma had the first chance of the game in the 25th minute.

Radja Nainggolan found space just outside the area and struck a right-footed shot that was saved by Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin.

On the half-hour mark, Genoa's Andrea Bertolacci spotted M'Baye Niang in the area but his central effort was saved by Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

Roma went in front in the 35th minute.

Genoa defender Facundo Roncaglia's poor clearance gifted Doumbia, who controlled the ball, got past two defenders and struck a right footed shot from the heart of the area to beat Perin for his second goal in as many games.

Four minutes before half-time Perin was called on again to make a save to clear Nainggolan's stinging drive from 30 yards.

The home side continued where they left off after the re-start and in the 53rd minute Miralem Pjanic wasted a good chance to double Roma's lead.

The Bosnian midfielder sent his left-footed attempt wide from close range with only Perin left to beat.

Genoa almost equalised five minutes later when Bertolacci set up substitute Iago Falque in the box but the former Tottenham player saw his left-footed effort towards the near post kept out by De Sanctis.

Perin was twice called into action after the hour to deny long-range attempts from Daniele De Rossi and Gervinho.

Genoa almost pulled level five minutes from time when Falque pounced on a loose ball in Roma's area but saw his goal-bound shot deflected by De Rossi for a corner.

Roma wrapped up the points with seconds remaining following a great individual play by Florenzi.

Florenzi recovered the ball in Roma"s half, ran towards Genoa's area and struck a right-footed shot from 15 yards past a helpless Perin.