AS Roma did excellent business on Thursday evening during the second group match of the Conference League. The team of coach Jose Mourinho visited Zorya Luhansk with 0-3 too strong due to goals from Stephan El Shaarawy, Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham. For the latter, it was already his fourth goal in the service of Roma since his arrival from Chelsea. Roma are sovereign in the lead in Group C with six points from two matches and an excellent goal difference (8-1).
AS Roma entered without Jordan Veretout and Rick Karsdorp, who both received a rest from Mourinho and also did not travel to Ukraine. For Roma it was all about washing away the hangover after last Sunday’s lost city derby against Lazio (3-2). The Romans started well, as El Shaarawy found the net after only seven minutes of play. The attacker was served with a through ball by Ebrima Darboe, passed goalkeeper Dmytro Matsapura and then pushed into the empty goal: 0-1.
The Italians were the dominant party for almost the entire game and tried to increase the score before half-time, but El Shaarawy, among others, was unhappy in the completion. The Italian tried with a shot from distance, but his effort was easily reversed. In the second act, the game image changed little and it was Roma who called the shots. Lorenzo Pellegrini, however, saw his effort go right past the right post and Ebrima Darboe was unable to promote his shot in the left corner to a goal.
The game was ended by Smalling, twenty minutes before the end. The center defender was found at the far post from a corner and had the ball for the header: 0-2. Just before that, Abraham had already missed a great chance for the second Roman goal. The striker would still be accurate shortly after the 0-2, when he got the ball somewhat fortunately at his feet. Abraham didn’t think twice and immediately struck out effectively in the right corner: 0-3. Luhansk was unable to force a goal in the remainder of the game and is at the bottom of the group with zero points from two duels.
Related
More sports news