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Played
November 20, 2011 2:45 PM EST
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee: C. Brighi
Attendance: 30768
November 20, 2011 2:45 PM EST
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee: C. Brighi
Attendance: 30768
Top of the Match
Taddei
AS Roma
AS Roma
Miralem Pjanic
AS Roma
AS Roma
Flop of the Match
Bojan Krkic
AS Roma
AS Roma
Bojan Krkic
AS Roma
AS Roma
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Roma 2-1 Lecce: Pjanic and Gago ensure wasteful Giallorossi hang on for narrow win
Eusebio Di Francesco's side was run ragged at times by the stylistic football displayed by the home side, which missed a host of chances along the way.
By Livio Caferoglu
Getty Images
Roma recorded back-to-back wins for the second time this season in Serie A after it dug out a 2-1 victory over Lecce at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
Strikes from Miralem Pjanic and Fernando Gago made sure of the three points for Luis Enrique's men, but despite their overriding possession of the ball from the first to the last whistle, Andrea Bertolacci's consolation served as unnecessary food for thought to the home team.
The match began with a slow tempo, as Roma proceeded to retain the ball for much of the first half, while Lecce struggled to impose itself on the match.
It was fate then that Roma would find the initiative first, and the team did so via a superb demonstration of football that even Barcelona would have been proud of, starting with a crisp passing sequence around the Lecce box.
Daniele De Rossi then found the killer ball after threading through Rodrigo Taddei to split the Lecce defense, and the Brazilian's low cross was converted by Pjanic, who arrived late to smash home from a yard out and give Roma the lead going into halftime.
The second half conjured up more of the same, and it also gave way for a second Roma goal, as Gago rifled a powerful low shot past Julio Sergio from the edge of the box, but the Lecce goalkeeper looked to have misjudged the trajectory of the strike.
The game should have been over before the hour mark, in Roman favor, but the misfiring Bojan spurned countless opportunities to extend his side's advantage, and unsurprisingly was soon replaced by the returning Francesco Totti.
His most criminal miss came from Erik Lamela's drilled ball across the area, but the former Barcelona striker somehow failed to touch the ball in with an open goal at his mercy.
The lack of finishing ability was promptly pounced on by Lecce, which suddenly found inspiration and managed to grab a goal back. Former Roma youth product Bertolacci capitalized on a deflected pass falling into his path, and delicately chipped over an onrushing Maarten Stekelenburg with 30 minutes remaining.
However, the home side was denied of a spectacular third goal, as Pablo Osvaldo's beautifully-executed overhead kick deep in the area was chalked off for a questionable offside call, but the decision did not affect the final outcome.
Roma now shoots up to 5th place in Serie A with 17 points, while Lecce remains in the relegation zone.
Strikes from Miralem Pjanic and Fernando Gago made sure of the three points for Luis Enrique's men, but despite their overriding possession of the ball from the first to the last whistle, Andrea Bertolacci's consolation served as unnecessary food for thought to the home team.
The match began with a slow tempo, as Roma proceeded to retain the ball for much of the first half, while Lecce struggled to impose itself on the match.
It was fate then that Roma would find the initiative first, and the team did so via a superb demonstration of football that even Barcelona would have been proud of, starting with a crisp passing sequence around the Lecce box.
Daniele De Rossi then found the killer ball after threading through Rodrigo Taddei to split the Lecce defense, and the Brazilian's low cross was converted by Pjanic, who arrived late to smash home from a yard out and give Roma the lead going into halftime.
The second half conjured up more of the same, and it also gave way for a second Roma goal, as Gago rifled a powerful low shot past Julio Sergio from the edge of the box, but the Lecce goalkeeper looked to have misjudged the trajectory of the strike.
The game should have been over before the hour mark, in Roman favor, but the misfiring Bojan spurned countless opportunities to extend his side's advantage, and unsurprisingly was soon replaced by the returning Francesco Totti.
His most criminal miss came from Erik Lamela's drilled ball across the area, but the former Barcelona striker somehow failed to touch the ball in with an open goal at his mercy.
The lack of finishing ability was promptly pounced on by Lecce, which suddenly found inspiration and managed to grab a goal back. Former Roma youth product Bertolacci capitalized on a deflected pass falling into his path, and delicately chipped over an onrushing Maarten Stekelenburg with 30 minutes remaining.
However, the home side was denied of a spectacular third goal, as Pablo Osvaldo's beautifully-executed overhead kick deep in the area was chalked off for a questionable offside call, but the decision did not affect the final outcome.
Roma now shoots up to 5th place in Serie A with 17 points, while Lecce remains in the relegation zone.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Striker Milan |
28 | 10 |
|
Diego Alberto Milito
Striker Inter |
24 | 8 |
|
Antonio Di Natale
Striker Udinese |
23 | 4 |
|
Edinson Cavani
Striker Napoli |
23 | 3 |
|
R. Palacio
Striker Genoa |
19 | 3 |