AS Roma saw off the first half challenge of Genoa to claim all three points in Serie A.
AS Roma comprehensively defeated Genoa in Serie A to keep their European hopes alive.
With the top two places likely wrapped up by Juventus and Napoli, Roma are amongst seven further teams with a realistic hope of qualifying for at least the UEFA Europa League next season. They currently sit in seventh in the league, four points behind Inter Milan in fifth and the final Europa League spot.
Victories like today will aid the Italian capital side’s challenge though, and Roma were in top form.
A pair of penalties accounted for the first two goals – one for each side.
Captain Francesco Totti scored first for the home side after 15 minutes, whilst former Roma forward Marco Borriello equalised from the spot shortly afterwards.
It is worth taking a second to mention an achievement surrounding Totti’s goal. The moment his strike passed the line he became the the joint second highest goalscorer in Serie A history with 225 goals.
The 36 year-old currently shares the honour with Gunnar Nordahl, who retired in 1958, but can claim the title outright with a single strike before the end of the current campaign. Silvio Piola, who played from 1929 – 1954, leads the way with 274 goals and Totti will not likely catch him before he retires.
However, Totti has been a tremendous asset to Roma over the years, and it is worth remembering that he has never been an orthodox striker.
Having scored the opener in this match, Totti created the Giallorossi’s other two goals, scored by Simone Perrotta and Alessio Romagnoli.
Watch official Serie A video highlights of the match below.
First half:
Second half:
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