Roma beat Valencia 3-1 in a thrilling encounter at the Mestalla Stadium in the Giallorossi’s final pre-season match ahead of the new Serie A season.
Goals from debutant Mohamed Salah and captain Francesco Totti gave i Lupi a two-goal lead inside 25 minutes before Sofiane Feghouli responded for the Spaniards. Gervinho hit a third for the Italians in the second half.
Roma took the lead in chaotic circumstances as Totti sent Gervinho bearing down on goal and his side-footed finish struck the post. The Ivorian then gathered the rebound and dribbled round goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, only to strike the other post, but Salah was on hand to tap in from less than a yard out.
Joao Cancelo then missed a glorious chance to equalise, dragging his shot wide with only Wojciech Szczesny to beat.
The La Liga side were made to pay immediately as a flowing Roma move saw Salah set up Totti to sweep home a second goal.
Szczezny flapped at a free kick and was relieved to see Nicolas Otamendi’s follow-up cleared off the line before Rodrigo De Paul struck the outside of the post moments later with a thunderous volley.
It was becoming a siege and the Spanish side were rewarded with a goal just after the half-hour mark thanks to a blunder from Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa who inadvertently sent Feghouli through in goal. The Algerian made no mistake, cooly slotting past the onrushing Szczesny.
Early in the second half, there was concern for Roma as Daniele De Rossi fell to the ground and appeared to be in discomfort before being substituted.
Feghouli thought he had equalised for the home side but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside and Roma struck again just seconds later.
Gervinho eluded the Valencia defenders before a composed finish that meant all of the Giallorossi’s front-three were on the score-sheet.
Valencia had yet another goal ruled out as Joao Cancelo was adjudged to have fouled Torosidis, much to the frustration of the home fans and players alike.
The Spaniards had much of the play in the final stages but Roma comfortably held on for an impressive 3-1 victory to lift the Trofeo Naranja Estrella Damm.
