News Focus
- AS Roma cut the gap to fourth place to just one point after thrashing ACF Fiorentina
- Gianluca Mancini, Wesley, Mario Hermoso and Niccolò Pisilli scored for the home side
- The result keeps Roma’s Champions League dreams alive with rivals dropping points
- Fiorentina secured their Serie A status despite the heavy defeat
AS Roma delivered a commanding display at the Stadio Olimpico, crushing ACF Fiorentina 4-0 to move within touching distance of the top four. The heavy win breathes new life into their push for a Champions League spot.
The Giallorossi took full advantage as their rivals for European places stumbled this weekend. Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli and Como all failed to win, opening the door for Roma to close the gap on fourth-placed Juve to just a single point.
Manager Claudio Ranieri welcomed back Manu Koné to the starting eleven for the first time since March. However, he had to manage without several key figures. Paulo Dybala started on the bench due to fitness concerns, while Neil El Aynaoui sat out through suspension. Lorenzo Pellegrini, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson missed out through injury.
Fiorentina also faced selection headaches. They travelled without Moise Kean, Roberto Piccoli, Niccolò Fortini and Tariq Lamptey. Robin Gosens and Fabiano Parisi did return to the squad, though. The visitors came into the match knowing they were virtually safe from the drop, as results elsewhere confirmed their Serie A survival.
Roma struck early through Gianluca Mancini. The defender rose unmarked inside the six-yard box to head home from Niccolò Pisilli’s corner kick after thirteen minutes. Donyell Malen had nearly opened the scoring moments earlier, but his shot clipped a defender and crashed against the crossbar.
The home side doubled their lead four minutes later. Pisilli launched a swift counter-attack, feeding Matias Soulé on the right. The ball moved quickly across the pitch to Mario Hermoso, who laid it off for Wesley. The Brazilian finished calmly with his right foot from just inside the penalty area.
Roma made it three after half an hour. Koné drove past Nicolò Fagioli down the right flank before cutting the ball back for Hermoso to tap into an empty net. Fiorentina looked flat and struggled to create chances before the interval, though Fagioli did force a corner with a deflected volley.
The visitors tried to spark a comeback at half-time, sending on young striker Riccardo Braschi. He almost made an instant impact, striking the post within a minute of entering the pitch. David De Gea also produced a fine save to deny Malen after the Dutch winger beat three defenders.
The fourth goal arrived just before the hour mark. Malen delivered a beautiful cross with the outside of his right boot, finding Pisilli at the far post. The young midfielder guided his header past De Gea to seal a memorable victory.
The result leaves Roma firmly in contention for a Champions League place, while Fiorentina can now focus on their cup commitments without worrying about relegation.