AS Roma delivered a dominating performance against Monza, winning 4-0 on February 24, 2025, at the Stadio Olimpico, solidifying their bid for European football next season.
The match started brightly for Roma, who controlled much of the play. Right winger Alexis Saelemaekers opened the scoring just ten minutes in, setting the tone for what was to be a one-sided affair. This early goal buoyed the hosts, providing them with confidence as they dictated the pace of the game.
Shortly after, Roma doubled their lead when Eldor Shomurodov found the back of the net at the 32-minute mark. The forward, capitalizing on a defensive error by Monza, slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, giving Roma a comfortable cushion goinginto half-time.
After the break, the scoring continued with Angelino netting Roma's third goal at the 73rd minute. With Monza unable to cope with the attacking waves from Roma, they were left exposed at the back. Bryan Cristante capped off the routing with another goal at the 88-minute mark, ensuring the Giallorossi finished their home match on high spirits.
Former Barcelona player Igor Korneev, commenting on the match for Match TV, described Roma's performance as "complete domination — beating up on the babies," indicating the lack of competition Monza posed. His analysis highlighted how Roma created numerous scoring opportunities and effectively capitalized on them, leaving Monza little chance to recover.
Under the management of Claudio Ranieri, AS Roma are showing signs of resurgence. They now sit ninth on the Serie A table with 40 points, trailing the European spots by just five points. Recently, they have been on form, marking their second consecutive victory after previously defeating Parma 1-0.
Monza, on the other hand, is struggling at the bottom of the table, currently sitting at 20th place with only 14 points. The team's woes are compounded by managerial instability; after appointing Salvatore Bocchetti to lead the squad, he was dismissed mere months after taking the role, leading to the reappointment of Alessandro Nesta. While they managed to halt their previous four-game losing streak with a draw against Lecce, the performance against Roma was indicative of their larger troubles.
The balance of play throughout the match and the resultant scoreline reflects Roma's tactical superiority and Monza's defensive fragility. Historical encounters have favored Roma, with the teams having faced each other five times previously: Roma has secured three wins, with two matches ending in draws. The current form and confidence of Roma would have posed challenges for any opponent, and Monza fell victim to the relentless offense.
This match significantly boosts Roma's standings and morale as they look forward to their next challenge against Como. For Monza, the road appears increasingly perilous with their relegation battle intensifying as the season progresses.
Bookmakers predictably favored Roma heading this match, offering odds of 1.30 for them to win, compared to Monza's staggering odds of 10.00. The over/under on total goals was set at 2.5, hinting at expected aggressive play by Roma and their capacity to score.
Looking at this fixture’s outcome juxtaposed with recent performance indicators, it was clear how Roma’s strategy under Ranieri has reignited aspirations for European qualification. Meanwhile, Monza, with its maladaptive strategies and inconsistent management, finds itself at risk of falling out of Serie A altogether.
This emphatic win for AS Roma not only bolsters their confidence but also raises serious questions about Monza's ability to regroup and respond to the pressing demands of Serie A football.