AS Roma 3-1 Genoa: Giallorossi finally wear down plucky Grifone

Roma were somewhat fortunate to beat Genoa 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

Goals from Francesco Totti, Allesio Romagnoli and Simone Perrotta sealed the win while Marco Borriello converted from the spot for the visitors but they ran out of steam in the second half following a red card for Juraj Kucka.

Genoa began the game well and created the first chance of the game after seven minutes. Kucka striking a dipping effort from 30 yards which Maarten Stekelenburg did well to parry wide for a corner.

Roma’s Greek wing-back Vassilis Torosidis found himself with room time and time again in the opening minutes and he almost found Pablo Osvaldo with a volleyed cross after 12 minutes.

In the 16th minute the Olimpico erupted as the home side broke the deadlock in debatable fashion.  Daniele De Rossi went on a jinking run and went down in the area earning his side a penalty.  Replays suggested that there was minimal contact.  After Osvaldo’s recent miss from the spot, Totti took the responsiblity and powerfully dispatched the penalty to make it 1-0, scoring his 225th league goal for the Giallorossi.

The Grifone responded well, winning a series of corners without forcing a save from Stekelenburg.  Cesare Bovo coming closest with a volley flying just over the crossbar.

In the 32nd minute Davide Ballardini’s side almost scored what would have been a deserved equaliser as Borriello picked out Andrea Bertolacci after a driving run down the left.  The young midfielder met the cross with a powerful header but Stekelenburg produced a fine save to tip the ball over the bar handing Genoa their eight corner in a bright spell.

Miralem Pjanic’s night came to an early end shortly before half-time after he went over on his ankle in a particularly painful moment and was immediately replaced by Michael Bradley.

In the 42nd minute the visitors got their reward for their pressure as Borriello was brought down in the area by Nicolas Burdisso.  The stiker dusted himself off and sent Stekelenburg the wrong way from the spot to make it 1-1, the equaliser no less than the Rossoblu deserved for their first half showing.

After a shaky start to the second half Roma carved out the first clear chance of the half in the 52nd minute.  Torosidis again found space to pick out a cross and Osvaldo should have done better at the far post, failing to connect with his left foot while unmarked at the far post.

Four minutes later Erik Lamela showed his quality beating three players and firing a shot at goal which was deflected just wide.  From the resulting corner Aurelio Andreazzoli’s men went in front again. Romagnoli rose highest to meet Totti’s corner to make it 2-1.  The goal was his first in Serie A sparking wild celebrations from the bench.

The 78th minute almost brought an equaliser for Genoa and then almost immediately they found themselves down to ten men.  Kucka received the ball on the right corner of the area and cut inside before hitting a powerful drive which Stekelenburg saved well.  Moments later Kucka barged substitute Marquinho off the ball leading to a fracas with Totti.  He appeared to kick out at the Roma captain earning both players a yellow card and with Kucka having already been booked the red quickly followed.

In the final minute of the 90 Roma finally sealed the win through substitute Perrotta.  Totti found the midfielder with a low cross and his sweeping, first time finish kissed the underside of the crossbar on the way into the net to make it 3-1.  The goal was harsh on Genoa who had matched their hosts for much of the game before Kucka’s dismissal.

Follow Michael Clarkson on Twitter: @M_Clarkson