De Rossi madness costs Roma dear in Genoa draw

De Rossi madness costs Roma dear in Genoa draw

Date: 26th November 2017 at 4:56pm
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A moment of madness from Daniele De Rossi allowed Genoa to snatch a 1-1 draw against Roma, and become the first home side to avoid defeat to the Giallorossi since January.

The Lupi looked to be in control when Stephan El Shaarawy netted on the hour mark, but the visitors paid a heavy price for an inexplicable De Rossi slap on Gianluca Lapadula in the box.

As the Roma captain was dismissed, Lapadula made no mistake from the spot to rescue a crucial point for the Grifone.

Roma were determined to start on the front foot and showed some neat passing to dominate the early possession. The attacking intent almost paid off within minutes, as Kevin Strootman found space in the box to cross for Edin Dzeko to power in a header at the back post, which was smartly blocked by Ervin Zukanovic.

From the resulting corner, a wicked in-swinging Aleksander Kolarov delivery almost nestled into the bottom corner, with both Dzeko and Federico Fazio only inches from getting a crucial touch and securing a certain goal.

The visitors were taking the game to their opponents and El Shaarawy almost broke the deadlock against his former club. A superb turn created space in the box and it took some brave defending to block his low strike. As the rebound fell to Dzeko, his effort was charged down by Armando Izzo.

Moments later, El Shaarawy again found himself in space at the back post to unleash a vicious volley that cannoned off Diego Laxalt’s hand. The Uruguayan’s arm was down by his side though, and claims for a penalty were waved away.

The hosts were determined in defence and Roma struggled to break through before the interval. Frustrations boiled over when Fazio lunged in on Laxalt on the left, sparking a shoving match between the teams. Once the situation had been defused, the resulting freekick was nodded just over by Luca Rigoni.

After a slow start to the second half, the game burst back into life. An exquisite Miguel Veloso ball over the top caught Fazio out and put Adel Taarabt through with only the goalkeeper to beat. However, as the Moroccan broke into the box and prepared to unleash his effort, a fine Juan Jesus challenge pinched the ball and rescued the Giallorossi.

At the other end, a delicate De Rossi dink into a crowded box was met by the back of Dzeko’s head, but the Bosnian was unable to get enough power to test Perin.

Roma finally took the lead on the hour mark, and it came courtesy of El Shaarawy. The forward had been switched to the left of the attack and the move paid dividends immediately, as he drifted into the centre of the box and smartly guided home Alessandro Florenzi’s cross on the half-volley.

However, a moment of madness from De Rossi allowed Genoa back into the contest. As a Grifone corner was swung in, the midfielder inexplicably slapped substitute Lapadula in the face.

Following consultation with the VAR, a penalty was awarded and De Rossi received his marching orders. Lapadula, meanwhile, dusted himself down and smashed the penalty beyond the reach of Alisson to draw the hosts level.

Roma regained their composure and came within inches of retaking the lead late on. A deep cross was cut back across the face of goal by Kolarov to Strootman, but the Dutchman could only watch as his effort from a tight angle clattered against the bar.

At the other end Lapadula squandered a magnificent chance to seal victory for Genoa. A loose ball allowed the goalscorer to break clean through, but he snatched at his shot and dragged wide.

Despite surging forward in stoppage time, the Lupi couldn’t find a winner and dropped points on the road for the first time this campaign.

MATCH FACTS

  • Roma have drawn for the first time after 12 consecutive away Serie A wins.
  • The Giallorossi have conceded in three consecutive games, after three clean sheets previously.
  • This is Roma’s first draw in 19 Serie A matches, with their last coming against Atalanta in April.
  • Genoa have gained four points in their last two matches, after three defeats in a row.
  • Stephan El Shaarawy has scored two goals and delivered an assist from his last four Serie A appearances.
  • Gianluca Lapadula scored his first goal for Genoa in his seventh league appearance for the club.
  • Lapadula scored with only his second touch in the match.
  • Daniele De Rossi received his ninth red card in Serie A, and his first since being dismissed against Sassuolo in December 2014.
  • Roma have hit the woodwork 12 times in Serie A this season, more than any other team.

 

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