AS Roma 4-1 Lecce: Giallorossi thrash visitors to get first win of Ranieri tenure
AS Roma ended a streak of four consecutive defeats in Serie A with a commanding 4-1 victory against US Lecce at the Stadio Olimpico.
Following two matches without scoring since Claudio Ranieri's appointment, the home team seized control early in the match, finding the net in the 12th minute.
Stephan El Shaarawy delivered a superb angled through ball to Alexis Saelemaekers inside the penalty area. Despite being on the slide, Saelemaekers managed to nudge the ball past the advancing goalkeeper, allowing it to roll into the net.
It appeared that Roma would head into halftime with a 1-0 lead, but substitute Saud Abdukhamid was penalized for a foul on Lassana Coulibaly, who fell to the ground.
Nikola Krstovic maintained his composure from the penalty spot, striking the ball decisively to equalize for Lecce before the break.
Recognizing the opportunity for a victory, Marco Giampaolo made three substitutions at halftime.
Despite the influx of fresh players for Lecce, Roma nearly scored shortly after the second half began, but Paulo Dybala's shot went wide of the target.
As the match approached the hour mark, the home side needed a decisive moment, and their captain Gianluca Mancini delivered, connecting with an El Shaarawy cross to head the ball into the net, much to the delight of the home supporters.
Giampaolo responded with two additional substitutions, yet it was Ranieri's side that made a significant impact five minutes later.
Abdulhamid redeemed himself for the earlier penalty by assisting Niccolò Pisilli, who finished with precision into the bottom corner.
Lecce struggled to respond, and the hosts added a fourth goal when Manu Kone found the net.
Following a surprising victory that few anticipated at halftime, Roma has ascended to 11th place, alleviating the relegation concerns of their supporters significantly with this win.
In stark contrast, Lecce remains precariously positioned just two points above the relegation zone in 16th place.
SportsLigue