Roma Cruise Past Slovan Bratislava 4-0 for First UCL Win

Roma ended their wait for a first Champions League win of the season with a 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava at the Stadio Olimpico. Mario Hermoso, Nahuel Molina, Niccolò Pisilli and Donyell Malen got the goals, and the result gave Gian Piero Gasperini his first win in the competition as Roma boss. The Giallorossi were still reeling from a 4-3 defeat by Real Madrid. That was a game that, six days earlier, had been a cruel blow against former manager Jose Mourinho’s side.

The only question was how many Roma would score. Kenan Bajric twice blocked efforts from Malen and Pisilli, and also blocked a Lorenzo Pellegrini attempt. The breakthrough came from a set piece. Pellegrini’s free-kick was knocked back across goal by Daniele Ghilardi, and fellow centre-back Hermoso nodded in from point-blank range.

Molina made it two in the 39th minute, finishing after Dominik Takac had palmed Malen’s attempt into his path. Takac kept Slovan’s deficit from growing before the break, but he had little hope once the second half began. Pellegrini was injured early in the half and handed the captain’s armband to Pisilli. Moments later, substitute Matias Soulé harassed Tigran Barseghyan into giving the ball away at the by-line, and Malen laid it off for Pisilli to blast into the roof of the net.

The fourth followed within minutes, after Wesley skipped past Blackman and was brought down in the area. Malen kept his cool from the penalty spot and beat Takac. It was his third Champions League goal and his ninth of the season. Ghilardi thought he had added a fifth late on with a thunderous right-footed shot, but it was ruled out.

The numbers show how one-sided it was. Roma had 73% of possession and outshot Slovan 26-1, with 10 shots on target to none for the visitors. Takac made six saves and was Slovan’s best player. Yaya Touré’s side are without a point after three matches, with a goal difference of 1-13. Gasperini’s team will hope the win gets their European campaign going, while Slovan’s chances of a first point already look bleak.