- Abraham (2), Sergio Oliveira and Zaniolo decided before the break and Mourinho’s men are five points behind the Champions League positions
José Mourinho’s Roma relaunched their chances of getting into Champions League positions after defeating Empoli (2-4) at home with a devastating first half in which they scored four goals, the first two by Tammy Abraham, who has 10.
The ‘giallorossi’ are sixth in Serie A, 5 points behind Atalanta (4th), although they can be overtaken tonight by Juventus if they beat Milan in the San Siro classic.
An Empoli that continues to lose gas
Empoli, which began as one of the revelations of the season but has now gone six games without a win, started the game well with a couple of attempts by Filippo Bandinelli and, above all, a chance by Nedim Bajrami, who after a corner he deflected a low ball, but missed the goal by very little (20′),
But Roma gradually took control of the game and soon after opened the scoring through Tammy Abraham. Seergio Oliveira tried the shot from outside the area, but the ball fell to the English striker, who quickly controlled it bordering on offside and, alone, beat goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (24′). The VAR validated the forward’s position.
Three goals in five minutes
It was the beginning of a phase of maximum efficiency for Roma, which in just five minutes, from 33 to 37, scored another three goals. The 0-2 came from a corner and, after a rebound, Abraham shot from close range. Vicario took the ball when it had already crossed the line and, although Mancini finished pushing it into the net, the goal was awarded to Abraham.
In minute 35, the 0-3. Sergio Oliveira, who made his week debut scoring a penalty against Cagliari after being loaned by Porto, did not forgive when a ball fell to him in the area.
In the middle of the Roman festival, a counter led by Henrykh Mkhitaryan was culminated with pleasure by an outstanding Nicolò Zaniolo (37′) scoring an incredible 0-4.
Empoli saves honor with two goals
After the break, Empoli scored early through Andrea Pinamonti after receiving and crossing into the net a delayed pass from Bandinelli (55′). Mourinho did not like the inattention of his defense and, furthermore, in the following action, Liam Henderson shot powerfully, but focused, from inside the area. Rui Patricio saved the ball and prevented Empoli from beginning to believe in a comeback.
Roma went on to control the situation, although in the 72nd minute they allowed Bajrami to make it 2-4 with a powerful cross kick. Roger Ibanez had the opportunity on the next play to definitively sentence the match with a header after a corner that went just over the crossbar.
Empoli did not give up and lavished three shots through Lorenzo Tonelli, Bajrami and Pinamonti that Rui Patricio, well placed, caught without problems and Roma did not struggle to secure victory despite the fact that in the second half they dedicated themselves to living on rents.