Two second-half goals at the Olimpico

Roma beat Genoa 2-0 at the Olimpico on Saturday, 17 October, in the early kick-off of Serie A's seventh round. The first half ended goalless, with Balerdi and El Shaarawy each hitting a crossbar. Santiago Castro broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, lofting a delicate finish over Genoa goalkeeper Bijlow after a corner left the ball loose in the area. The second goal came in the 68th minute, when Matias Soulé drove down the right and his shot was deflected to Emanuele Lulli, who finished from close range. Both scorers netted their first goals for Roma, and Lulli's strike was his first in Serie A.

Reaction to the Real Madrid defeat

Roma had lost at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, 14 October, and the Genoa win came as a response to that setback. Gasperini called the Champions League loss a heavy blow and said he had reshuffled the side with a reaction in mind.

“Losing like that was devastating, but I knew they would react.”

Speaking to Sky, Gasperini said he had never doubted the group's ability to bounce back.

“I had no doubts. I know this group well, and I had no problem believing in their reaction.”

Gasperini made seven changes from the side that faced Real Madrid, keeping only four starters from that lineup. Malen was suspended, Dybala was unavailable, and two more players were also out. The result ended a run without a home league win for over a month and followed a 0-0 draw with Como the previous week.

Lulli and Castro on their first goals

Lulli told Sky Sport he was delighted with the win and with his first goal for the club.

“I am very happy, it is a great dream coming true. Now we are thinking about the next games.”

Lulli credited his teammates for backing him, saying they encouraged him and made him feel at ease. Castro, who is three years older than Lulli, told Sky that he sees Lulli work hard every day. He added that players who had played less were given minutes and that the squad did not feel like a second-string team. Gasperini had sensed the goal from the bench, and he said watching it again on television gave it even more value.

Table and fixtures

Roma's 17 points leave them two behind Inter, the leaders, with Lazio third on 16 points. Lazio face Juventus in Turin on Sunday, 18 October, at 20:45. Genoa remain in 19th place with four points and host Venezia on Sunday, 25 October, at 15:00, a match described as a key relegation clash. Roma host Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League at the Olimpico on Tuesday, 20 October, before a trip to Napoli on Saturday, 24 October, with kick-off at 18:00.

Inter19

Roma17

Lazio16

Genoa4

Inter

19 points

Roma

17 points

Lazio

16 points

Genoa

4 points

Data from the article text