One game in, and Roma have already edged a bit closer to the title, a goal they're certainly chasing this season. Radja Nainggolan scored just before the half-hour mark, but second half adjustments from Fiorentina meant Roma had a tough second half. However, a late goal from Gervinho ensured they end the day top of the Serie A table.
Roma vs. Fiorentina: Final score 2-0, Late goal from Gervinho ensures win for Giallorossi
A first-half goal from Radja Nainggolan and a late extra from Gervinho gave Roma the win, but Fiorentina gave Roma plenty of grief in the second half.
Right from the start, Roma looked like a team prepared to make a challenge for the scudetto. Rudi Garcia, as is his wont, set out a side eager to get forward and pressure their opponents. Nainggolan was everywhere. Gervinho's pace was lethal. Miralem Pjanic was providing some gorgeous balls though the middle.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, looked more like they were set to battle against relegation than chase the top three. Vincenzo Montella, normally an adept tactician, made some interesting decisions that were likely meant to counter Roma's strength out wide by having the viola play through the middle. Except the side were unable to provide any service to the forwards, on the rare occasions they did get forward.
So, then, it came as little surprise when Roma were the ones who took the lead. Josh Brillante, making his first Serie A appearance for Fiorentina, gave the ball away, setting Nainggolan free to run at the defense. The viola obligingly parted, but Neto came up with a fantastic save off a shot from Gervinho. However, the ball fell once more to Nainggolan, who had no trouble sinking in the rebound.
Montella saw no reason to wait until the break to make an adjustment. Off came the young Brillante, and in his place went Josip Iličić. Fiorentina shifted into a 4-3-3, but they were still unable to get in more than one shot in the first half -- and that one did nothing to test Morgan De Sanctis.
The adjustments seemed to gel in the second half. Fiorentina came out of their shell, the fullbacks got forward, and Borja Valero tested De Sanctis within two minutes. The defense tightened up as well, with Marcos Alonso able to stop what looked to be a certain goal from Gervinho. Minutes later, Gervinho sent his shot directly into Neto's chest.
Fiorentina looked certain to get an equalizer. Iličić hit the crossbar, then Khouma Babacar forced an absolutely tremendous save from De Sanctis. Roma's legs were tired, and the visitors were taking advantage. However, Rudi Garcia introduced Alessandro Florenzi for Francesco Totti and Adem Ljajic for Juan Iturbe, and that proved enough for Roma to apply a bit of pressure once more.
The pressure paid off in the form of a late goal, with Gervinho making amends for his earlier miss. The Ivorian caught the Fiorentina defense napping -- likely because the whistle was about to blow -- then dribbled around Neto to score his side’s second.
AS Roma: De Sanctis, Torosidis, Manolas (Keita 67), Astori, Cole, Nainggolan, De Rossi, Pjanic, Iturbe (Ljajic 77), Totti (Florenzi 71), Gervinho
Goals: Nainggolan 28’; Gervinho 90+3’
Fiorentina: Neto, Tomovic, Rodriguez, Savic, Alonso, Brillante (Ilicic), Pizarro, Borja Valero, Vargas (Aquilani 72), Babacar (Joaquin 63), Gomez
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