Roma went into tonight's Serie A clash with Genoa looking for a third successive league victory.
The visitors were also unbeaten in five but fell behind early on to a penalty from Francesco Totti.
Genoa responded and equalised with a spot kick of their own before the break, which was cooly converted by Marco Borriello.
The home side managed to secure three crucial points in the second half, courtsey of goals from Alessio Romagnoli and Simone Perrotta.
Look back on a win which keeps Roma in the hunt for a top-six finish with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Hello Italian football fans. A marathon weekend of Serie A action concludes tonight as Roma and Genoa meet in a battle of improved sides at the Olimpico. Sports Mole will bring you live text commentary of all the action right here.
While both sides have enjoyed a change in fortunes under new management, Genoa's revival in 2013 has been quite remarkable. Davide Ballardini is unbeaten as manager, guiding his side to positive results over Lazio and Juventus in the process.
Roma also look more assured under the guidance of Aurelio Andreazzoli. While Zdenek Zeman's reign was extremely entertaining the required results did follow in the eternal city. The home side beat Juventus two weeks ago and are now back in with a shout of making the Europa League if their fine recent run continues.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: The team sheets are out at the Olimpico and Roma have dented by the news that talented defender Marqunihos has failed a late fitness test. We will bring you both starting XI's from the Italian capital shortly.
ROMA: Stekelenburg, Piris, Burdisso, Romagnoli, Torosidis, De Rossi, Pjanic, Balzaretti, Lamela, Totti; Osvaldo
GENOA: Frey, Bovo, Portanova, Moretti, Pisano, Kucka, Tozser, Vargas, Antonelli, Bertolacci, Borriello
The absence of Marquinhos has forced Roma to hand an unlikely debut to 18-year-old defender Alessio Romagnoli. Big names Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi are both back from suspension and straight into the starting XI. Roma were able to beat Atalanta away from home without the pair last weekend, how will they fare with the experienced duo in the side?
Genoa are without a number of players through injury and suspension tonight. Andreas Granqvist and Francelino Matuzalem are both banned for the Rossoblu, while Antonio Floro Flores, Ruben Oliver are just two of the names on the treatment table.
Former Roma striker Marco Borriello leads the line for Genoa tonight against his old club. The 30-year-old has played against the Giallorossi for six different teams in his career but has never scored in any of those matches. Can he change that tonight?
Roma have been arguably the most entertaining side to watch in Italy this season. Although Zeman's principles may have gone a three-man attack of Osvaldo, Lamela and Totti remain. Add the guile of Miralem Pjanic to that mix and you expect them to score in every match.
If the last time these two sides met is anything to go by we should be in for a treat tonight. Back in October Roma ran out 4-2 winners at the Luigi Ferraris, with Osvaldo bagging a brace!
Genoa have down a new-found steel and determination to grind out results in recent weeks, and will need that in abundance to get a result at the Olimpico. The Rossoblu go into the match knowing that the bottom three all lost earlier today. Even a draw this evening will lift Genoa six points clear of the relegation zone. What an incentive for the visitors to defy the odds!
PREDICTION! There is just time before the two sides walk out at the Olimpico for me to register a prediction. I'm hardly going out on a limb to predict goals this evening, but that is exactly what we should get. Genoa have a torrid recent record at the Olimpico and I think Roma can use that to their advantage. Expect Lamela to shine in a 2-1 win for the home side!
Roma get things underway at the Olimpico, shooting from left to right. Genoa quickly rob the home side and attack through Borriello, who is hustled off the ball by Piris in a wide position.
A crescendo of flares go off in Rome as the home side recover possession. The Olimpico really is one the great theaters of European football. Osvaldo shows a clever touch in attack to find Lamela, but after a pass to Torosidis the home side are flagged offside.
The visitors look far from fazes in the early stages as Vargas and Bertolacci drive Genoa forward. Bovo bombs on from the back but is penalised for a foul which ends a promising attack.
SHOT! Kukca tries his luck from distance for Genoa and forces Steklenburg to turn it round the post with both hands. Another encouraging sign for Genoa, who are clearly full of confidence after going five games without defeat.
Torosidis gets free on the left and sends a sensational cross into the penalty area. Osvaldo is at full stretch but cannot make contact as the ball drifts out for a goal kick. That is a delivery David Beckham would be proud of!
CHANCE! Pjanic gets involved for the first time to launch a long diagonal towards the back post. Torisidis is free and volleys across the area, but none of his teammates have anticipated a ball smashed across goal. That is a chance missed for the home side.
PENALTY TO ROMA! Daniele De Rossi goes on a mazy run and is tripped over in the penalty area. The contact is minimal but the home side have a spot kick.
GOAL! Roma 1-0 Genoa (Totti)
Totti registers his 225th Serie A goal to go joint-second on the list of all-time top goalscorers with Gunnar Nordahl. Sebastian Frey guessed the right way but the penalty was struck with too much force and flies into the bottom right corner. Cool as you like from the captain and a goal made entirely in Rome by Totti and De Rossi.
Antonelli attempts to provide an instant response for the visitors with a dribble into the final third. His efforts win a corner for the Geona, which results in a strike flashed well over by Pisano.
Genoa win another corner after clearing on the counter from a long-range drive from Lamela. Pjanic sends behind for a second corner in quick succession. This is a positive response from the visitors.
Borriello bursts into the box and beats Piris for pace, but is challenged by Burdisso before he can get a shot off. Genoa have down enough in the last five minutes to suggest this match is still alive.
More sustained pressure from Genoa results in two more corners, make that seven for the visitors in the first 30 minutes. Tozser tries a deep cross to Kucka but Roma have enough bodies in the box to clear with minimum fuss.
YELLOW CARD! It appears Kucka was booked for Genoa for the challenge on De Rossi which led to Roma's penalty. The midfielder must be careful after bundling over Totti on the halfway line with a clumsy tackle.
SAVE! Stekelenburg has just produced a contender for save of the season to keep Roma ahead. Borriello does brilliantly to beat his marker and but the ball back for Bertolacci. His diving header looks destined for the top corner before being touched over the top by the Dutch keeper at full stretch. Genoa can count themselves unlucky not to be level!
Vargas sends a free kick straight into the wall from 20 yards as Genoa continue to push for an equaliser. Roma have Pjanic down in some discomfort after Pjanic appeared to twist his ankle in the turf. That looks a nasty one for the pass master.
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SUBSTITUTION: Pjanic is helped off the field and will play no further part tonight. Michael Bradley is rushed on and will take his place in central midfield.
GENOA PENALTY! Burdisso has handed Genoa a chance to level from the spot after sliding in on Borriello in the box!
GOAL! Roma 1-1 Genoa (Borriello)
Borriello stays cool and calm to convert from the spot after a delay, tucking his penalty home to the bottom corner. The forward decides not to celebrate against his old club after scoring against Roma for the first time in his career. The least Genoa deserve is parity after a stirring first-half fightback.
Roma finally launch a counter and thanks to a quick break have a man advantage in the attack. Osvaldo squares to Balzaretti but the wing-back's attempted cross to Lamela at the back post is awful and drifts out for a goal kick. That is about as good as it gets for the home side since scoring in the final third.
YELLOW CARD! Vargas is booked just before the half-time whistle for a combination of late tackle and protest at the decision.
HALF-TIME Roma 1-1 Genoa
Well I expected goals at the Olimpico, but not two in succession from the penalty spot. Genoa have proved their recent revival is no fluke with their reaction to Totti's opener. Borriello's reply form the spot is exactly what the visitors deserve for a first half full of ambition and desire in midfield.
Roma have really struggled to deal with the pace and guile of Borriello and Bertolacci in attack. Kucka has also dominated a sparse midfield area with his relentless, effective style.
The Giallorossi's best moments of the first 45 minutes came down the left-hand side, with Torosidis and Lamela looking lively on the break. Roma need to find a way to gain more possession in central midfield and feed the left-sided pair in the second half.
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Michael Bradley's introduction just before the break might be the key for Roma. Pjanic was outnumbered for much of the first half before going off injured. Andreazzoli may need to drop De Rossi deeper to help counteract Genoa's high pressing style.
Main striker Osvaldo has also been blighted by a complete of service so far. Never shy in showing his emotion, expect the forward to be much more involved after the break!
Genoa get the second half underway but are quickly on the defensive as Balzaretti wins possession in the final third.
Bradley has his first impact on the match as he gets free on right to send a cross towards Osvaldo. The striker looks destined to reach the ball but is denied by a late interception from Portonova.
YELLOW CARD! Lamela goes down after running into a challenge from Portonova. The referee has no hesitation in booking the Argentine forward for simulation.
Genoa are warming to the task once more and send in a pair of dangerous crosses, courtesy of Antonelli. The home crowd are growing frustrated.
ROMA SUBSITUTION: Both sides are showing signs of attacking intent early in the second half but are yet to create a clear-cut opportunity. Roma decide to make a change to make that happen, with Balzaretti replaced by Marquinho.
GOAL! Roma 2-1 Genoa (Romangnoli)
Roma are back ahead as young defender Alessio Romagnoli climbs highest to head home at the near post. De Rossi grabs the defender in delight as the 18-year-old gets his first Serie A goal. The home side won that corner thanks to a sensational run from Lamela and are back ahead against the run of play.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Genoa waste no time in seeking an equaliser with a positive double change. Jorquera and Immobile are on for Tozser and Pisano. Immobile will immediately join Borriello to form a two-man attack for the visitors.
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SHOT! Osvaldo finally has a strike at goal after Bovo makes a mistake at the back. The forward cuts inside but manages to send his curling effort well wide of the far post from 12 yards.
Immobile has made a quick impact for Genoa and looks a threat in behind thanks to his pace. He is just inches away from meeting Bovo's cross after darting behind Burdisso. Genoa still carry purpose going forward and have a chance to salvage a point.
SAVE! Roma somehow manage to scramble clear after Immobile and Bertolacci combine at the near post. The latter eventually hit a shot from close range but had his effort parried by Stekelenburg, who has been at his best to keep the home side ahead tonight.
GENOA SUBSTITUTION: The visitors swap Bertolacci for veteran Marco Rigoni in a final throw of the dice. Genoa now have three strikers on the pitch in search of an equalising goal.
Genoa merit a 2-2 draw, but in football performances do not always translate to results. Roma possess quality on the counter but have failed to string three passes together since getting the second goal.
Osvaldo has stayed down after tangling with Portanova in the penalty area but play continues. Genoa win possession and launch an attack, much to the annoyance of a passionate home crowd. The visitors take the chance to test Stekelenburg from range through Kucka.
RED CARD! Kucka has been given a second yellow card for appearing to leave his foot in on Totti. The Genoa players think that Totti has got the midfielder sent off with his reaction and are furious.
SUBSTITUTION: Roma take the chance to shut up shop with their man advantage, bringing Osvaldo off for Simone Perotta. Genoa have looked lively throughout but have their chances to draw level left with Kucka, who has to marched down the tunnel to stop his angry appeals.
Totti and Torosidis work a clever interchange form the free kick, but their attempt to play in Lamela at the far post is let down by a poor first touch from the Argentine. For the first time tonight Roma have a measure of control over the match.
YELLOW CARD! Michael Bradley joins the growing list of players on a booking for bringing out Vargas after losing out in race to the ball. The match made a fantastic start but has since been dominated by decisions from the officials that will make all the headlines tomorrow morning.
GOAL! Roma 3-1 (Perotta)
Roma finally wrap up the three points thanks to a composed finish from Perotta. The 35-year-old timed his run onto a Totti cross perfectly before smashing home on the turn. A vintage finish from the veteran and Roma have secured a win they scarcely deserve.
Genoa are dead and buried but can take heart from a performance full of enthusiasm and attacking intent. The visitors are still trying to play deep into stoppage time but their efforts will be to no avail.
FULL-TIME Roma 3-1 Genoa
In the end Roma did just about enough to hold off a brave challenge from Genoa and inflict a first defeat on Davide Ballardini. The Giallorossi are now four points off a Europa League place with 11 games to play.
That just about does it for a packed weekend of Serie A action. Thanks for joining us at Sports Mole, hope you enjoyed it. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
