No one really expected Roma to have much of a hard time against Chievo Verona today at the Stadio Olimpico, but no one really expected the match to practically be over as soon as the ref blew his whistle, either. That’s more or less exactly what we got, though.
AS Roma vs. Chievo Verona: Final score 3-0, Donkeys throttled in Rome
Mattia Destro scored in his third straight Serie A start, and Roma then proceeded to tear Chievo Verona apart from there on out.
Roma were all over Chievo from the first kick, with two chances created inside the first minute and a whole lot more where those came from shortly after. It wasn't long at all before Roma found a breakthrough, with Mattia Destro running unmarked across Chievo's defense on a corner and sending a diving header past Francesco Bardi. Chievo looked shocked at their poor fortune, but even pulling back their midfield to bunker in deeper didn't keep Roma from creating chance after chance.
It would be awhile before Roma scored again, but the goal was well worth the wait. Francesco Totti unleashed a beautiful ball over the Chievo midfield for Adem Ljajic, who took a couple quick touches and unleashed a bullet that Bardi didn't stand a chance against. It was a top-shelf goal, and one that Roma fans should admire for some time.
This time, Roma fans didn't have long to wait; Daniele De Rossi was felled in the box minutes later, clearly pushed over for a penalty. All that was left from there was for Totti to step up to the spot, and a deft finish put Roma up 3-0 just past 30 minutes.
It was a dominating performance from Roma, with Chievo proving utterly incapable of dealing with their crisp ball movement and the quality of their front line. Even with their defense packed in tight and deep, smart movement by Roma’s forwards and midfielders was able to create spaces to exploit, and Roma certainly did plenty of that.
Roma were unable to find more goals in the second half, but they were still in complete control for the whole run, with what few forays in attack that Chievo were able to put together stifled before they were much of a threat. It was a comprehensive and thorough beating that you don’t see the likes of too often, and Roma certainly don’t look at all the worse for wear after getting thumped by Juventus two weeks ago.
AS Roma: De Sanctis; Maicon, Astori, Yanga-Mbiwa, Cole; Pjanic (Paredes 68'), De Rossi, Nainggolan (Ucan 89'); Ljajic, Destro, Totti (Florenzi 60')
Goals: Destro 4’; Ljajic 25’; Totti (pen.) 32’
Chievo Verona: Bardi; Dainelli, Sukanovic, Sardo (Cesar 71'); Frey, Radovanovic, Cofie Biraghi (Fraga 821); Hetemaj; Paloschi, Lopez (Meggiorini 65')
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