Roma laboured to a 2-0 win over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening to secure their first points of the 2014/15 Serie A season.
Radja Nainggolan’s first half strike was enough to secure an opening day win for the Giallorossi as they did just enough to hold off a strong second half fightback from Fiorentina. Gervinho added a second with the last kick of the game to secure the result.
Roma head coach Rudi Garcia handed debuts to a number of his new signings and fielded three new faces as part of his back four featuring Davide Astori, Ashley Cole and Konstantinos Manolas while Juan Iturbe started upfront and Mattia Destro was on the bench.
Both sides began at a low tempo with the Viola allowing the home side to dominate possession as they looked to exploit Roma on the break but each side was restricted to ambitious efforts from long range that failed to pose any real threat.
It took 28 minutes for either side to register a shot on target and the first led to the opening goal. Gervinho was played through by Nainggolan, and his angled shot was parried by Neto back into the path of the Belgian who started the move who lashed the ball home on the half volley through the crowded penalty area.
The visitors severely lacked any cutting edge meaning that their front pair of Mario Gomez and Khouma Babacar looked isolated and were totally ineffective. Josip Ilicic finally tested Morgan De Sanctis just before the break, however his long-range effort was comfortably held by the veteran keeper.
After the break Miralem Pjanic clamoured for a penalty after he was clipped in the box by Gomez however the referee rightly decided against awarding a spot kick.
Gervinho highlighted his raw ability once again when he ran through the heart of the Viola defence before his shot was blocked by a last ditch tackle from Marcus Alonso. Moments later he then wasted a golden chance to double the lead and put Fiorentina to rest as he guided his effort straight into the chest of Neto.
Immediately afterwards Fiorentina came within inches of levelling affairs and only the brilliance of De Sanctis prevented the visitors. Firstly Ilicic had his free kick tipped onto the woodwork by De Sanctis before the keeper denied Babacar with a wonderful diving save from close range.
Fiorentina were growing into the game as the home side began to play more tentatively and it allowed the visitors to gain control of the game; substitute Joaquin came close but he could only drag his shot wide of the near post.
Roma had sporadic chances as the game edged towards its end but it was Fiorentina who looked the more likely. Adem Ljajic had a good chance to seal victory late on but his effort was deflected wide for a corner.
With the last kick of the game Gervinho rounded Neto after being played through to put the result to bed as the Giallorossi held on to their sixth successive victory over Fiorentina and begin the new season with a win.
