Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi struck early to maintain Roma's 100% start to the season. Zeman, the colourful chain smoking Czech was making his first appearance back at Roma since his sacking two years ago.
AS Roma vs Cagliari, final score 2-0: Giallorossi go marching on
AS Roma ruined Zdenek Zeman’s return to the Stadio Olimpico, running out 2-0 victors against Cagliari.
Davide Astori missed the chance to face the side he left in the summer. The defender, along with Juan Manuel Iturbe both picked up injuries during the midweek 5-1 Champions League thumping of CSKA Moscow. Radja Nainggolan did face his former employers, while Ashley Cole also came back into the side. Rudi Garcia rotated his players, so both Miralem Pjanic and Francesco Totti started on the bench.
The home side threatened early on. Destro spun his marker in the box, only to fire weakly at 20-year-old debutant Alessio Cragno. The forward did put his next chance away on ten minutes. Florenzi ran past a flat-footed defence before rolling the ball across the box for Destro to sweep in his first of the season from close range.
Florenzi doubled the advantage three minutes later. Gervinho brought down a long ball and took advantage of the Cagliari defence playing a high line. The Ivorian threaded through for Florenzi to blast into the net. In emotional scenes, the youngster ran into the stands to share a tearful embrace with his grandmother.
Luca Ceppitelli nodded a free kick just past the far post for the visitors before Douglas Maicon narrowly missed out on adding a third. The Brazilian ran on to a Florenzi chip, but the ball bounced too close to Cragno, who came off his line to snuff out the danger.
As the first half came to a close, Victor Ibarbo sent a wayward header wide, while Destro tried to be unselfish by attempting a give and go with Gervinho. The Cagliari defence anticipated the pass and easily cleared when Destro really should have taken the chance himself.
Zeman made three second half substitutions in quick succession, but his side couldn't influence the result. The game became somewhat of a training exercise for the Giallorossi. Maicon sent an effort inches over the bar, while Destro headed a powerful cross behind him instead of at goal. Roma lost Daniele De Rossi to a leg injury late on to take some of the shine off the result.
AS Roma: De Sanctis; Maicon, Yanga-Mbiwa, Manolas, Cole; Nainggolan, De Rossi, (Emanuelson 81) Keita; Florenzi, (Ljajic 72) Destro, (Pjanic 68) Gervinho
Goals: Destro 10, Florenzi 13
Cagliari: Cragno; Pisano, (Balzano 50) Rossettini, Ceppitelli, Avelar; Joao Pedro, Conti, Ekdal; (Dessena 59) Ibarbo, Sau, Farias (Longo 59)
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