AS Roma 4-0 AC Monza: Giallorossi extend unbeaten run with dominant win over Monza
Alessandro Nesta's AC Monza has now recorded just one victory in 18 Serie A matches, remaining seven points adrift of safety following a 4-0 loss to the league's current top team, AS Roma.
The match commenced with Alexis Saelemaekers (25) scoring a remarkable long-range goal, a strong contender for goal of the season.
When Claudio Ranieri took over as head coach in mid-November, Roma had managed only 13 points from their first 12 league matches. However, they have since experienced a resurgence, remaining unbeaten in nine games and narrowing the gap to sixth-placed Fiorentina to just two points.
The team was without their leading scorers, Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala, who were sidelined due to injuries and benching, respectively, following a demanding European double-header against FC Porto.
From the outset, the momentum favored the home side, making it evident that it was only a matter of time before they would score against the league's bottom team. Saelemaekers, who had not found the net after scoring three times in four matches over the Christmas period, opened the scoring in spectacular fashion from distance.
Cutting in from the right, the Belgian was given excessive space, allowing him to unleash a curling shot that found the top corner of the net.
Roma consistently targeted Monza's left flank, repeatedly directing their attacks down that side. This strategy paid off again when Eldor Shomurodov, the provider of the first goal, connected with Matias Soule’s precise cross from the right, extending the lead to two goals before halftime.
Despite holding only 27% possession and managing 14 shots on goal during a first-half barrage, Monza did manage to keep Mile Svilar alert, as he made crucial saves from attempts by Dany Mota and Silvere Ganvoula.
They experienced a moment of relief when both goal scorers were substituted by Ranieri, but were soon caught off guard on the opposite flank when Angelino intercepted the ball, leading to Bryan Cristante sealing a perfect evening for Roma.
It is often advised against returning to a former partner, a sentiment that may not resonate well with Nesta, who was dismissed less than two months ago. He might be bracing himself for a challenging season in Serie B, with only 12 matches left to address their current struggles.
Conversely, Roma is experiencing a surge in momentum, with three teams from the lower half of the standings on the horizon, in addition to their UEFA Europa League knockout stage match against Athletic Bilbao.
SportsLigue