Roma put the game to bed before halftime at the Olimpico, overpowering Genoa and reclaiming sole possession of fourth place with a commanding performance.
Roma ended 2025 on a high note, defeating Genoa 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico and moving back into fourth place in the Serie A standings, leapfrogging Juventus. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side delivered a convincing first-half display, settling the match early and controlling proceedings with maturity.
The emotional subplot of the night was Daniele De Rossi’s return to the Olimpico as an opposing coach, but once the opening nerves faded, Roma took charge. The breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute when Matías Soulé reacted quickest to an unintended flick from Vásquez, driving into the box and finishing left-footed past Sommariva.
Roma doubled their lead just five minutes later with a well-worked team move. Mancini’s low cross from the right found Ferguson with his back to goal; the striker laid it off intelligently for Manu Koné, who calmly slotted home to make it 2-0. The Giallorossi were ruthless, and the contest was effectively decided by the half-hour mark. Ferguson, heavily criticized in recent weeks, redeemed himself by following up a rebound from close range to score his first goal at the Olimpico and cap a dominant opening spell.
After the break, Roma managed the tempo expertly, alternating possession with selective accelerations and never allowing Genoa to build sustained pressure. The visitors did find a late consolation goal in the 87th minute through Ekhator, who headed home from a Martin free kick, but it did little to change the narrative of the match.
The final whistle confirmed a statement win for Roma, who head into the new year with confidence and momentum. Genoa, meanwhile, were undone by defensive frailties and a disappointing midfield display, particularly from Malinovskyi, as De Rossi’s side left the capital empty-handed.
Match Report
Roma 3-1 Genoa
Goals:
14’ Soulé (R), 19’ Koné (R), 31’ Ferguson (R), 87’ Ekhator (G)
Roma (3-4-2-1):
Svilar; Mancini (74’ Ghilardi), Ziolkowski, Hermoso; Çelik, Cristante (74’ Pisilli), Koné, Wesley (85’ Rensch); Soulé (57’ El Shaarawy), Dybala; Ferguson (85’ Dovbyk).
Coach: Gasperini.
Genoa (3-5-2):
Sommariva; Østigård (58’ Marcandalli), Otoa, Vásquez; Norton-Cuffy, Malinovskyi (58’ Fini), Frendrup (79’ Masini), Ellertsson, Martin; Vitinha (58’ Ekhator), Ekuban (58’ Colombo).
Coach: De Rossi.
Referee: Di Bello
Yellow cards: Frendrup (Genoa)
Red cards: None
