ROMA — The Roma football team secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia after decisively beating Sampdoria 4-1 at the Stadio Olimpico. Fans filled the stands, witnessing their team bounce back from recent disappointments, with this victory refreshing the spirits of the Giallorossi.
From the opening whistle, Roma, under coach Claudio Ranieri's guidance, entered the game with high intensity. It was Artem Dovbyk, who stood out for Roma, scoring two goals within the first 20 minutes. The first came just nine minutes in, thanks to an excellent cross from Alexis Saelemaekers, which Dovbyk buried with his left foot, testing the Sampdoria goalkeeper Paolo Vismara early on.
Just ten minutes later, Dovbyk struck again. After Vismara collided with his own defender, Dovbyk effortlessly nodded the ball home, placing the Giallorossi firmly up 2-0. Roma continued to dominate, and at the 24-minute mark, Tommaso Baldanzi joined the score sheet with a stunning long-range effort, curling the ball past Vismara to make it 3-0.
The first half ended with Roma comfortably leading 3-0, showcasing clear dominance over their opponents. The Sampdoria side struggled to maintain possession and often looked disorganized at the back. It was evident from the start; the Giallorossi exploited the blucerchiati's defensive mistakes effectively.
Coming out strong for the second half, Sampdoria aimed to change the narrative. Indeed, they made good on their intentions when Gerard Yepes found the back of the net shortly after the restart, cutting Roma’s lead to 3-1. Yepes capitalized on confusion within the Roma defense, slotting home after being set up by Fabio Depaoli.
Yet, Roma didn't let the momentum sway. The Giallorossi regained control, responding swiftly to the challenge presented by Sampdoria. Newcomer Matías Soulé showcased his skills as he struck the crossbar and later provided Dovbyk another opportunity, which the Ukrainian almost converted. Shortly thereafter, Eldor Shomurodov, who had just come off the bench, scored with his first touch. Angelino's cross found Shomurodov, and he headed the ball past Vismara, restoring the three-goal cushion.
Shomurodov’s goal secured the match at 4-1 for Roma, who now look forward to their next challenge against AC Milan. This upcoming match promises to be another exciting chapter for the Giallorossi as they aim for silverware.
The match statistics highlighted Roma's superior attacking prowess, with 14 shots on goal compared to Sampdoria's 5. The Giallorossi maintained 62% possession, controlling the game tempo with ease and making it exceedingly difficult for Sampdoria to establish any rhythm.
Head coach Claudio Ranieri will welcome the victory after recent mixed results left his team’s morale faltering. After disappointing performances, including their recent loss to Como, this win serves as necessary motivation. Ranieri praised his players after the match, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and maintaining this momentum as they progress through the tournament.
With discussions about team strategy and player rotation high on the agenda, Roma must prepare well for their upcoming clash against Milan, managed by former Roma coach Paulo Fonseca. Football analysts and fans alike await to see whether Roma can carry their impressive performance forward as they continue through the Coppa Italia.
Returning to the pitch, the Giallorossi now have to focus on defending their home turf against tough competition like Milan, who recently topped Sassuolo with their solid form.
The blend of youthful talent, like Baldanzi and Dovbyk, with experienced players such as Paredes and Angelino, will be pivotal for Roma as they strive not to disappoint their ardent supporters, who hope for deep runs not just within the Coppa Italia but also the Serie A campaign.
This match showed not only Roma's capability to capitalize on opposing mistakes but also their versatility and resilience. Fans are excited about the upcoming fixtures, which promise thrilling action and competitive spirit.
