Cult Of Calcio
Paolo Zanetti made only two changes to the Lagunari’s XI from their draw against Genoa. Ethan Ampadu was back in the lineup after serving his red card suspension, replacing Tanner Tessmann. Sofia Kiyine started in place of Thomas Henry.
Jose Mourinho made four changes from Roma’s 2-2 draw against Bodø/Glimt, fielding a three-man backline with Rick Karsdorp and Stephan El Shaarawy starting as wing-backs. Marash Kumbulla made his first league start of the season and so did Eldor Shomurodov.
Roma’s captain Lorenzo Pellegrini was back in the lineup after missing their Conference League clash due to a knee issue.
Shomurodov and Abraham put Roma 2-1 up just before the interval
Venezia could not have asked for a better start as Mattia Caldara put them ahead after meeting Matta Aramu’s free-kick with a simple right-footed shot. Roma won a penalty just minutes later after Abraham was brought down by Ridgeciano Haps. However, the decision was overturned after a VAR check showed that Pellegrini was offside.
The Giallorossi attacked persistently in search of an equalizer with Shomurdov coming close to scoring but his left-footed shot was just wide off the near post. A few minutes later, Abraham’s right-footed shot clipped the far post and El Shaarawy tried to shoot from the rebound but his attempt was blocked.
Venezia had a few chances of their own with David Okereke trying to threaten the Roma backline at times. The Nigerian had a chance to find the net but his curling effort was wide off the far post.
In the 41st minute, El Shaarawy sent a ball into the penalty area which found Pellegrini. Sergio Romero foiled the 25-year-old but the ball went towards Shomurodov who found the net to put Roma level. The Uzbek attacker scored his first league goal in a Giallorossi shirt.
Just before the end of the first half, Shomurodov sent a delivery towards Abraham, who did well to control the ball before beating Romero to put Roma ahead.
Venezia stage remarkable comeback to bag three points
Roma started the second half well and nearly scored a third goal through Ibanez. However, the defender’s header was acrobatically cleared by Haps…
