AS Roma has celebrated another significant victory, triumphing over bottom-dwelling Monza with an emphatic 4-0 scoreline during their Serie A match on February 24 at the Stadio Olimpico. This win not only solidifies Roma's position but also marks their third consecutive league victory, boosting their confidence as they aim for European qualification.
The team, managed by Claudio Ranieri, came off the back of another successful outing, having just eliminated Porto from the Europa League four days earlier. They displayed their strength early on when Belgian forward Alexis Saelemaekers opened the scoring just ten minutes in. Following his lead, Uzbek striker Eldor Shomurodov doubled the advantage with his goal at the 32-minute mark, and later, Anghelinho and Bryan Cristante added two more late goals to cap off the resounding victory.
Roma started the match with immense confidence, enjoying dominant possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities from the beginning. Saelemaekers' first goal came from his skillful left-footed strike after receiving the ball from Ballads who had maintained possession well against the Monza defense. Shomurodov's header followed shortly after, as he connected perfectly with a cross delivered from the right side of the box. This two-goal lead allowed Roma to gain momentum, and they entered halftime feeling secure.
Despite Monza's attempts to claw their way back, including some dangerous plays, Roma’s defense, spearheaded by goalkeeper Svilar, held steady, allowing no goals against. The latter stages of the match saw quick substitutions from Ranieri, introducing more key players to maintain control and secure the win.
The second half continued similarly, with Roma controlling the pace of the game. The third goal came from Anghelinho, skillfully placed after receiving a pass from Cristante, emphasizing Roma's creativity and attacking prowess. Not to be outdone, Cristante himself scored just before the final whistle from what was initially uncertain, showcasing how the team worked cohesively to capitalize on set pieces as well.
This victory leaves AS Roma with 40 points, positioning them at 9th place, just two points shy of the sixth-placed Fiorentina. Their current effort signifies not only their competitive edge but also highlights their potential to fight for places leading to European competitions next season.
Conversely, Monza's situation becomes increasingly dire with this loss, as they sit firm at the bottom of the league table with only 14 points. This latest defeat marks their fifth loss from the past six matches, underlining the challenges they face as they strive to avoid relegation. Monza's Pedro Pereira played the full game, but their performance lacked the needed spark to turn the tides.
Looking forward, AS Roma will maintain their spirited push as they aim for the remaining fixtures of the season, continuing their relentless chase for European football. Coach Ranieri's tactical adjustments and the players' performances suggest optimism among fans for what is yet to come this season.