MILAN: Stephan El Shaarawy and Edin Dzeko scored early with Aleksandar Kolarov adding a third after the break as Roma eased past basement club Chievo 3-0 to get back to winning ways and move up to fourth in Serie A.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side had been coming off two league draws and a humiliating 7-1 Coppa Italia exit to Fiorentina.
Roma now occupy the final Champions League berth, a welcome boost ahead of their last 16, first leg tie against Porto next week in this season’s elite European competition.
“We could have scored a few more goals, but I hope we held them back for Porto,” said Di Francesco.
Chievo had held the Romans in their two previous meetings, battling back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the Stadio Olimpico earlier this season.
This time Roma did not let their lead slip, after also throwing away a three-goal lead to
be held by Atalanta two weeks ago.
Roma took control early with teenage striker Nicolo Zaniolo forcing goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino to pull off a diving save.
El Shaarawy lobbed in the first after nine minutes with Dzeko adding the second goal ten minutes later.
Chievo lost defender Nicolas Frey who hobbled off with a leg injury before the break with Serbian defender Kolorav getting the third six minutes after the interval.
A well-worked Roma counterattack saw El Shaarawy came through for Dzeko to set up Kolarov who left Sorrentino helpless.
The Serb then turn to bow to Roma’s ultras fans who had criticised him.
“I think it was a great gesture, to apologise to the fans after what happened,” added Di Francesco of their struggles. Dzeko and El Shaarawy both missed chances to double their tally rattling the woodwork later on.
This image shows the Olympic Rings in front of the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne....
Karachi whites celebrate after win over Dera Murad Jamali in the National T20 Cup match at Iqbal Stadium on March 16,...
A representative image of the National Games.— Facebook@JabaTaili/FileKARACHI: With less than one and a half months...
Rory McIlroy seen playing a shot in this image. — AFP/FileMIAMI: Northern Ireland´s Rory McIlroy cruised to a St....
Barcelona's Spanish forward Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring his team's third goal in the win at Atletico. —...
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF reacts during the MLS match between Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz...