Ruthless Roma stuck four past Yaya Toure’s Slovan Bratislava to secure their first Champions League victory of the season.
Goals from Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina, Niccolo Pisilli and Donyell Malen sparked the Serie A side’s European campaign into life on what is their return to the competition for the first time since 2019.
Roma suffered a shocking late collapse last week to lose 4-3 against Real Madrid as they conceded three goals in the last seven minutes.
But they bounced back here and were in front against the Slovakian side inside 21 minutes when Hermoso headed in almost on the goal-line after Daniele Ghilardi nodded down Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free-kick.
Roma were dominant against the side managed by former Manchester City midfielder Toure and got a deserved second six minutes before the break.
Molina forced the ball home at the back post for his first goal for the club after Brastislava keeper Dominik Takac pushed ex-Aston Villa forward Malen’s shot across goal.
Roma, who drew their opening European game of the season against Fenerbahce, took advantage of some hesitant defending early in the second half to get their third.
Matias Soule managed to win the ball in the area before Malen played the ball back for Pisilli to turn home in the 52nd minute.
Malen then got the fourth from the penalty spot just before the hour mark after Cesar Blackman fouled Wesley Franca to leave Toure’s side bottom of the Champions League table.
BBC
