Nzonzi punishes wasteful Empoli as Roma march on

Date: 6th October 2018 at 10:23pm
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Steven Nzonzi’s first goal for the club ensured Roma continued their resurgence with a 2-0 win over Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Saturday.

The French World Cup winner nodded home a Lorenzo Pellegrini freekick in the first half, as an unconvincing Giallorossi secured a fourth consecutive win in all competitions.

Empoli squandered a wonderful opportunity to draw level however, as Francesco Caputo blazed over from the penalty spot after a Cengiz Under handball. Despite the home side dominating the second period, Edin Dzeko put the result beyond doubt late on with a powerful finish and sealed the three points for Roma.

Roma were frustrated for much of the opening half hour and struggled to get the ball out to Dzeko up front, in contrast to Empoli’s success at sending the dangerous Caputo through with some stout defending and quick breaks.

With 30 minutes gone, Roma came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after a powerful Lorenzo Pellegrini drive down the left and smart cut back eluded Dzeko in front of goal, only for Under to hit the follow up against the Bosnian and wide.

The Giallorossi finally broke the deadlock late in the half through a set-piece. A poor Bennacer tackle on Davide Santon allowed Lorenzo Pellegrini to float a teasing freekick from deep, and Nzonzi rose highest to deftly head into the bottom corner.

Empoli began the second half full of determination and came within inches of drawing level. A tiring Luca Pellegrini caught Bennacer on the edge of the box and the Algerian dusted himself off, before curling a wicked freekick against the outside of the post.

The Azzurri were presented with a golden opportunity to peg Roma back on 55 minutes after Luca Pellegrini sliced a clearance from a corner onto Under’s hand. After a lengthy VAR consultation, a penalty was awarded but a dreadful Caputo effort was skied well over the crossbar.

The 31-year-old ought to have made amends midway through the half after a Krunic shot fell to him in the box, but a first-time strike on the turn was lifted high over the bar from close range.

It was all Empoli and the hosts came close to equalising late on through Antonino La Gumina. The substitute was released on the halfway line and burst down the left and into the box, but dragged his low shot across the face of goal and wide.

Empoli were punished for their profligacy with five minutes to go, as Dzeko headed on for Stephan El Shaarawy, before collecting the return pass and skipping through a tired defence and firing into the roof of the net.

Victory sees Roma move up to third, whilst Empoli continue to languish in relegation trouble and remain in 18th.

A night to forget for Caputo

It was a case of what-might-have-been for Empoli, with their positive play going unrewarded thanks to some gilt-edge chances being squandered. No one will feel more downbeat than Francesco Caputo, who blazed over from the penalty spot early in the second half and, with his confidence knocked, sliced two presentable opportunities off target.

Top scorer in Serie B last season, the 31-year-old is yet to translate that form into goals in the top flight but offered some intelligent runs and was always a threat on the counter. With better finishing, and a little more luck, Caputo could have salvaged a draw for the struggling Azzurri.

Things are looking rosier in Rome

Just under a fortnight ago Roma were in crisis and coach Eusebio Di Francesco appeared to be a dead man walking, but four wins on the bounce have seen that averted. Far from a vintage display, the Giallorossi nonetheless got the job done and kept another clean sheet, with only Ciro Immobile of Lazio netted beyond Robin Olsen in this series of victories.

After crumbling against Atalanta and Chievo earlier in the campaign, Roma showed greater mental fortitude to see out a potential banana skin against Empoli and continue their ascent up the Serie A table.

 

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