Roma Player Ratings vs Monza: El Shaarawy to the Rescue

Roma eked out a narrow 1-0 home triumph over a 10-man Monza side on Sunday afternoon to move within a three-point distance of the Serie A top four. Jose Mourinho’s team suffered a lot at the Stadio Olimpico but grabbed a late winner through second-half substitute Stephan El Shaarawy.

Despite winning three consecutive matches before the international break, Roma looked clueless in the early exchanges. Unfazed by their hosts’ stature, Monza came flying out of the traps, assuming control of the possession and denying Mourinho’s lads a clean sight of goal.

However, the crucial moment of the game took place in the 41st minute when Danilo D’Ambrosio picked up his second yellow, giving Roma a numerical advantage in the final 60 minutes. But despite going a man up, Giallorossi had problems penetrating Monza’s defense, which had not conceded for 348 minutes before today’s trip.

Romelu Lukaku and Sardar Azmoun were close to providing Roma a breakthrough in the second half. But they both hit the same post. When it looked like Monza would endure the siege, El Shaarawy smashed the ball past Michele Di Gregorio to hand Giallorossi a precious win with his first Serie A goal of the season.

As the tensions hit the roof in the dying moments, Mourinho was sent off for insulting his Monza counterpart, Raffaele Palladino. But he won’t be bothered after his side claimed another significant triumph.

Roma (3-5-2)

Rui Patricio – 7

Pulled off numerous decent stops to deny Monza’s attempts from close range, including a spectacular diving save to thwart Samuele Birindelli midway through the second half.

Gianluca Mancini – 6.5

Lucky to get away with a yellow after elbowing the opposition in the middle of the park for no good reason. Had some lapses in concentration but was never punished for them. Made a crucial block in the latter stages to fend off Samuele Vignato.

Bryan Cristante – 6

Unlike some recent games, looked a bit nervous, especially after the break, picking up a silly booking when he should’ve walked away unscratched. 

Evan Ndicka – 7

A torrid adaptation period is well behind the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt man. Enjoyed another impeccable afternoon, keeping Lorenzo Colombo in his back pocket all game while barely putting his foot wrong when in possession.

Leonardo Spinazzola – 5.5

Not as decisive as could be on a good day. Couldn’t get past Pedro Pereira in the first half and Birindelli after the restart but made up for a disappointing attacking showing with a convincing display at the back.

Houssem Aouar – 6

With Roma being a man up for a large chunk of the encounter, you’d expect a player of his caliber to step up to the plate. Instead, he vanished from the pitch, failing to orchestrate anything meaningful in the front third.

Leandro Paredes – 6

Another big-name summer arrival who couldn’t impact the play against a numerically inferior opposition! Once Lorenzo Pellegrini regains match fitness, Mourinho might want to consider benching the ex-PSG playmaker.

Edoardo Bove – 6

Despite all the effort, the Roma youngster had one of his worst games this season. His lackluster showing left Mourinho no choice but to take him off just after the hour mark.

Rick Karsdorp – 6.5

It was another day to forget for the Dutchman, at least attacking-wise. His defensive skills have never been questionable, but there’s ample room for improvement in the offensive third. 

Andrea Belotti – 6.5

Forced a reflex leg save from Di Gregorio late in the first half with an instinctive finish from close range but failed to live up to expectations again. 

Romelu Lukaku – 6.5

Unlucky to see his thunderous right-foot shot rattle off the post. Never had a clear sight of goal, yet won countless duels in the air and on the ground against his markers.

Substitutes

Stephan El Shaarawy – 7.5

Decided the encounter with a beautiful half-volley. The goal aside, was much more threatening than Belotti.

Sardar Azmoun – 6.5

Unleashed a superb finish from the edge of the box and already started to celebrate, only to see the post deny him a first Serie A goal.

Diego Llorente – 6

Took Ndicka’s place and helped Roma navigate some nervy moments later on. 

Nicola Zalewski – 5.5

Couldn’t offer an upgrade on Spinazzola. Looks like the betting scandal is taking its toll.

Rasmus Kristensen – N/A