Parma 0-1 AS Roma: Giallorossi defeat 10-man hosts to extend unbeaten league run
AS Roma extended their unbeaten streak in Serie A to nine matches following a 1-0 victory against 10-man Parma away from home, achieving their second consecutive clean sheet for the first time this season.
In a surprising turn of events, it was Parma who began the match with greater intensity in the first half. Ange-Yoan Bonny narrowly missed the target after the ball fell to him in the penalty area, while Mile Svilar was called into action to make the first save of the game, comfortably stopping a weak shot from Adrian Bernabe.
However, the momentum shifted in favor of Roma within a span of three frantic minutes.
The visitors were awarded a penalty at the half-hour mark when Giovanni Leoni committed a reckless sliding tackle. Initially shown a yellow card, Leoni's punishment was escalated to a red after a VAR review, as the foul occurred outside the box, resulting in a free-kick instead of a penalty. The 'double jeopardy' rule was thus rendered inapplicable, and Leoni was adjudged to have denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
From the ensuing free-kick, matters worsened for Parma as Matias Soule scored off the post, granting Roma a lead at halftime.
With the numerical advantage, it was expected that the Giallorossi would dominate the second half. Soule and Anass Salah-Eddine both tested goalkeeper Zion Suzuki in quick succession, with Suzuki making an impressive save to deny Soule a second goal before collecting Salah-Eddine's follow-up shot.
Lorenzo Pellegrini then received a through ball and aimed for the bottom corner, but once again, Suzuki was there to thwart the attempt.
Although Roma was unable to secure a second goal in the closing stages to definitively seal the match, they still managed to achieve their sixth league victory in nine games, bringing them closer to the European qualification spots.
As a result of this defeat, Parma remains winless in their last seven matches, and the Crusaders will be eager to improve their form and escape the relegation zone, currently sitting one point below safety.
SportsLigue