AS Roma v S Bratislava
Play By Play
An emphatic win sees Roma quell the threat of Slovan Bratislava and deliver a thumping 4-0 victory for the home fans, earning their first win in this 2026-27 Champions League campaign in the process. The hosts got off to the ideal start but had to wait until the 21-minute mark before they went ahead through Hermoso's headed effort after good work from Ghilardi. The second came on 39 minutes with Malen the architect, as his shot was palmed into the path of Molina, who reacted quickest to Takac's spill. The second half continued in much the same vain as Pisilli got in on the act, smashing home on 52 minutes from close range with Malen once again getting the assist after stealing the ball from his opponent in a dangerous area. Six minutes later, Roma had their fourth with that man Malen scoring again after Roma were awarded a penalty for a challenge from behind on Wesley. It capped a fine display for Malen and Roma, who never looked in any danger from Slovan's - it has to be said - toothless attack. Slovan had just one shot in the entire match and though obvious underdogs, Toure will be disappointed in his side's performance. Roma mustered an impressive xG of 3.58 whilst Slovan managed a meagre xG of just 0.02. The win propels Roma up to 13th spot in the Champions League table, whilst Slovan Bratislava languish in 36th (bottom) on zero points after three games. Thank you for joining us this evening and goodbye.
FULL-TIME: ROMA 4-0 SLOVAN BRATISLAVA
Two minutes will be added on at the end of this match.
Ghilardi hares into the Slovan box and performs a slick couple of step-overs as he looks to gain a yard. As he does so, he outfoxes himself and slips to the floor, such was the speed of his footwork. Tentative claims for a penalty are waved away.
BACK OF THE NET!! EXCELLENT STRIKE FROM GHILARDI!!! Wait, the flag has gone up. That was an incredible shot from the edge of the box. But several Roma players were stood in an offside position as the ball was struck firm and low into the back of the net. Mora had initially won a corner with his shot. The corner came in and as it was semi-cleared, it fell to the feet of Ghilardi, who hit a fierce-looking volley at goal. It is ruled out despite the net bulging.
Marcelli chases hard down the left and desperately tries to retrieve a tempting pass down the channel. The ball is gathered by a Roma shirt, and you can see the visible slump of the shoulders from the striker, who is so forlorn.
A long ball asks a lot of Molina, but in true tireless fashion, the wide man who has been so impressive, back-heels the ball as it looks to have gone out, and it hits a Slovan tracking defender and goes out for a corner. Excellent persistence from Molina, who has threatened all night.
Cruz comes off after being given the run-around by Molina and others. Wimmer is on for the final nine or so minutes. The former Spurs defender has played over 100 times for Slovan since joining in 2023.
We head to the final 10 minutes of this match with Roma in ultimate control. The gulf in class has been too much for Slovan to breach. Will we see one final throw of the dice from Toure?
Mancini comes on for De Roon as Roma look to shore things up now. De Roon has done well since arriving in the summer. The former Middlesbrough midfielder, who once scored a bullet header against Manchester City, played close to 450 games over two spells for Atalanta before making the surprise move to the Stadio Olimpico this summer.
Goalscorer, Hermoso is rested with Koulierakis - who started Roma's league game at the weekend - coming on in defence.
Yirajang shows electric pace down the left-wing for Slovan and beats three players' efforts to stop him before Roma double up on him, and he is forced to pivot away from danger. Great pace shown by the substitute though, and he had the beating of Roma's chasing pack. More of that is needed for Slovan.
It's a silly yellow card to concede by substitute Martinez as he yells at the referee's assistant for not giving a decision Slovan's way.
Roma have had an impressive shot ratio so far in this competition. Before this evening, Malen had five shots, three on target, scoring two goals. De Roon and Cristante have both scored from one shot each in this Champions League campaign. It looks to have continued in this contest.
RENSCH HITS A LOW EFFORT THAT CREEPS WIDE!! That was very nearly the perfect introduction from Rensch after coming on. He dances inside from the left flank and as nobody wants to go near or challenge him, he thinks, 'why not?' and hits a grass-cutter that skims past the far-right post with Takac looking less than convincing in the Slovan goal.
The third change for Slovan sees Camara taken off for Maros. He's only 17 but has already amassed 18 appearances for the Slovakian club.
Ibrahim is withdrawn for Mustafic. Mustafic grabbed an assist for his side in the 3-0 win at the weekend despite only playing for 15 minutes as a substitute.
The first in what looks like a triple change for Slovan sees Martinez come on for Gajdos. Only Barseghyan (four) has taken more shots than Martinez’s three during Slovan’s first two Champions League games.
Roma have starved Slovan of possesion and still look like they could add more goals. Changes are on the way for Slovan judging by the activity down on the touchline.
A yellow card for Camara who tugs at the shorts of a Roma player as he races away from the forward. Easy decision for the referee.
Marcelli comes all the way towards his own penalty area just to get a touch on the ball such is the dominance of Roma and the lack of service from his fellow Slovan colleagues. Who will Toure turn to try and establish a bit of pride in this performance? He is missing the striking prowess of a certain Andraz Sporar who is injured. He is something of a cult figure on English shores from his time on Teesside for Middlesbrough. He even had his own chant of “He’s Slovenian, he’s only on loan for a season...”, to the tune of Oasis’ ‘She’s electric’.
A corner for Roma and the crowd is a little flat as this encounter seems to be coming to something of a routine conclusion despite there being over 25 minutes still on the clock.
Slovan’s away record in the competition is poor. They have lost 10 out of 11 away matches in the European Cup/Champions League and only avoided defeat once on the road. It looks like 11 out of 12 now for the Slovakian champions.
Rensch comes on for the ever-dangerous Wesley. Roma can change personnel and protect players now as the job is all but done.
Malen goes off having grabbed another goal and an assist tonight. His work is done and on comes Castro, who scored himself at the weekend in Malen's absence because of suspension.
