(PRIMASPORT) ROME – Roma secured their first Champions League win in the league, overwhelming Slovan Batislava 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, putting Real Madrid's comeback that shattered the Giallorossi's dream in the previous round behind them. When a match is announced as within reach, that's where the dangers lurk. Coach Gasperini knows this, and his team's attitude is one of constant possession. Roma, christened by Francesco Totti in the tunnel leading to the locker room, displayed the strength and attitude of the team that won the Scudetto a quarter of a century ago. They scored four goals against Slovan Batislava, but could have been more, given a one-sided game. Chances abounded from the opening minutes, and the score was finally broken in the 21st minute by Hermoso, who, from a free kick from the left by Pellegrini, sent the ball to the far post, where Ghilardi looped the ball over to the opposite side for Hermoso to head home. A combination between the two full-backs is a classic of Gasperini's style. The second goal in the 39th minute was largely thanks to Malen, who fired into the far post in the box. The goalkeeper's slight deflection wasn't enough to prevent Molina's rebound.
Seven minutes into the second half, Pisilli scored the third, capitalizing on Malen's back pass and scoring from close range. Four minutes later, Wesley was blatantly forced into the penalty area. Malen converted the penalty with a low, angled shot. With the score at 4-0, Gasperini called on Malen and Wesley to make way for Castro and Resch. With four minutes remaining, Mora missed a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who blocked the shot and deflected it out for a corner. The corner kick led to Ghilardi's right-footed volley, which was ruled out for offside by a pair of Giallorossi players. The Giallorossi's dominance thus ended, with the team gaining four points and putting them back in contention for the Champions League play-offs. (PRIMASPORT)