ROME - A commanding 4-0 victory saw AS Roma triumph over Monza at the Stadio Olimpico on February 24, 2025, as the team significantly bolstered their efforts to challenge for Europe. With goals from Alexis Saelemaekers, Eldor Shomurodov, Angeliño, and Bryan Cristante, the Giallorossi demonstrated their attacking prowess and defensive strength throughout the match.
The scoring opened early as Saelemaekers found the net just ten minutes in. The young winger received the ball, skillfully maneuvered past defenders, and unleashed a stunning left-footed shot from the edge of the area, curling it beautifully toward the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Michele Turati with no chance.
Riding the momentum from their first goal, Roma doubled their lead shortly after with Shomurodov heading home from close range. The pivotal play unfolded when Matías Soulé delivered a perfectly weighted cross from the right flank. Shomurodov, unmarked inside the six-yard box, rose above his markers to nod the ball past Turati.
“The team’s synergy was evident today,” Shomurodov noted post-match, “We executed our game plan perfectly and created numerous opportunities.”
Despite Roma's dominance, Monza struggled to mount any serious attacks during the first half. Their efforts were stifled by Roma's disciplined defense, led by goalscorer Cristante.
The second half saw Roma continue their assault, effectively capitalizing on Monza's weaknesses. Different combinations of players allowed Roma to keep control of the match. Midway through the half, Angeliño netted Roma's third goal following Cristante’s assist. After receiving the ball near the penalty spot, Angeliño skillfully shifted the ball to his left and struck low and hard, finding the bottom corner.
After netting their third goal, Roma slowed their pace, yet continued to dominate possession, managing the game with fluid passes and effective ball retention. Despite their tactical shift to control the game, the Roma players kept pushing for more goals.
Finally, as the match reached its climax, Cristante secured the victory with the fourth and final goal, rising to meet Dybala's corner kick with superb timing to direct the header home. The crowd erupted with joy as this goal exemplified Roma's relentless performance.
The victory marked Roma’s third consecutive win, solidifying their position just one point shy of Milan and Bologna, and two points behind Fiorentina, who occupy the sixth spot. Meanwhile, this heavy defeat dealt another blow to Monza, remaining entrenched at the bottom of the standings as they seek to escape the relegation zone.
With this win, Roma has now outscored opponents significantly, demonstrating both offensive capabilities and defensive solidity—highlighting their intent to secure European competition qualifications. Coach Claudio Ranieri praised his squad's performance, expressing confidence as the team heads to their next challenges. “If we continue this way, I believe we can achieve great things this season,” Ranieri stated.
Meanwhile, Monza, under the guidance of Alessandro Nesta, will need to regroup quickly. Their recent form has been concerning, with this match serving as their sixth consecutive defeat. The stat has only worsened their situation, as they remain nine points adrift of safety.
“We need to refocus and believe we can turn this season around,” Nesta remarked. “There’s still time left, but we need to make significant improvements.”
Looking ahead, both teams face pivotal upcoming matches. Roma aims to maintain their momentum, pushing toward European contention, whereas Monza must find solutions if they hope to prolong their stay in the top tier.