Lecce-Roma 0-1: Dovbyk puts his signature on the Roma seven

Lecce 29 March 2025 - The predictions are not overturned, the streaks of consecutive victories and defeats of the two teams do not change. The Roma wins at Via del Mare, beating 0-1 Lecce, thanks to the goal of Artem Dovbyk, thus celebrating the 7th consecutive success. The pursuit of the Champions League from the boys of Claudio Ranieri, while those of Marco Giampaolo unfortunately they have to deal with defeat number 5 in as many games. A shame for the Salento team because even on this occasion the performance was not lacking, but the goal to bring home the points did not arrive once again.

First half

Few surprises compared to the day before in the formation of Giampaolo who takes the field at Via del Mare. The central pairing has been confirmed Gaspar e baschirotto before Falcone, with Guilbert right and Cock on the left to complete the rearguard. In midfield is Ramadan the man chosen alongside Coulibaly to compose the midfield. The real surprise is however in the three-quarter line where the Salento coach gives up on Morente head, there is in its place Karlsson, with Pierotti on the right ed Helgason in the center behind Kristovic. In home Roma instead the impressions of the eve were completely confirmed. In attack there is dovbyk owner, supported by Soulé e Pellegrini. Field for Crystalline alongside Koné in median, with Saelemaekers right and Angelino to the left. Before Silker, the three-line is composed of Mancini, Hummels e N'Dicka. 

It starts off well Roma, the guests immediately put their foot down, in an attempt to capitalise on an excellent pressing in the initial phase of the match. In the 9th minute of the game, the great opportunity also arrives thanks to a blunder by the Salento defence. Misunderstanding between Falcone e Guilbert, which collide, leaving space for Angelino alone inside the penalty area, but with the goal unguarded the Spaniard kicks sensationally out at the near post. A scare for the home team, who however do not lose their composure and instead take the field, giving life to a very entertaining challenge in the early stages.

Lecce tries to put the team in difficulty Roma and the high recoveries of the Salento team seem to be the key to the match. However, another mistake by the Apulian Giallorossi risks giving the guests the lead goal. This time the mistake comes during the construction phase by Ramadan, who has the ball stolen from him Koné from inside the penalty area. The Frenchman shoots with confidence towards the goal Falcone, but the goalkeeper of the Lecce makes a sensational save to save his own goal from a corner. The Frenchman despairs at the missed opportunity, but the save by the home goalkeeper is truly prodigious.

Few chances but a lot of fighting in the central part of the first half, with the home team however always improving compared to a Roma a little less inspired. The Lecce insists and between the 35th and 40th minute he creates two great chances to unlock the match. First he tries Cock, served with a delicious low touch of Karlsson on the run. From inside the area the full-back tries to shoot, but they are very good before Silker to reject in low exit, then Angelino to move away. Five minutes later, however, the cross of Guilbert finds the cut very good Kristovic, but the Balkan's attempt fails to hit the target. Roma in difficulty but good at concluding the first half unscathed. In fact, at 45' Manganiello whistles twice and orders the end of the first half of the match with the score at 0-0 between the two teams. 

Second half

No changes at half-time, the two teams resume the match with the same twenty-two protagonists of the first half of the match. The match starts very well Lecce: brave and enterprising almost to crush the Roman rearguard. He attacks a lot on the left front, where however Karlsson he is unable to make the difference, indeed on one occasion he even had to show a yellow card to prevent the restart of Soulé, the Swede thus becomes the first player to be cautioned in the match. The former Bologna player himself becomes the first player to be substituted in the match a few minutes later, together with Pierotti in fact he leaves the field, in their place inside Band e N'Dri. 

The minute is 59' when Kristovic tries to draw the joker from the deck, hunting for an exceptional goal. On the long shot from the bottom of Silker in fact the Montenegrin tries a spin from midfield after a teammate's header. The ball bounces a few meters from the goal, making the game go crazy. This shot, however, seems to almost wake up the guests, who raise their center of gravity and start to get closer, pushing on the accelerator. It's the 67th minute when the Capitoline team manages to build the action that on paper would unlock the game. A corner kick from the left of the offensive front is taken very well to come back. At the near post stands out dovbyk, which touches towards the door, with Mancini to swoop down on the far post, correcting the ball into the net. The Roma defender celebrates, but the linesman disallows it for offside. Very long VAR review to confirm the offside of the defender from the capital.

Ranieri then tries to change something to follow up on the positive moment of his team in search of the goal of the lead. They enter like this Shomurodov e Baldanzi for Soulé e Pellegrini, to also change the scheme on the field. The response of the hosts is entrusted to the entries of Kaba e Berisha, to Coulibaly ed Helgason. The new arrival was cautioned in quick succession Baldanzi e Saelemaekers, but they are evidence of the growing competitive spirit of the Capitoline team, a growth that also led to the goal that gave the visitors the lead. At 80' dovbyk he sets out on his own and first wins the physical duel with baschirotto for the ball, then swerve twice on Gaspar, before slotting the shot with his left foot under his legs and behind him Falcone. Roma ahead 0-1 as the match entered its final 10 minutes.

The Ukrainian striker was still inspired and tried again three minutes later, but his attempt was central and blocked by Falcone. It is the last action by the striker of the Roma, who comes out a few moments later after complaining of a calf problem. Together with him, also comes out Saelemaekers, to make room for El Shaarawy e pisilli, while Giampaolo the card is played Rebic to rebalance the match in the final stages. The Salento team pours forward for the final rush, while the guests compact the lines to maintain the goal margin. There are six minutes of recovery rightly granted by the match director to conclude the match. The Salento forcing is however inconclusive, while Shomurodov in the 94th minute he had the chance to close the match, but his right-footed shot was stopped by the header of Falcone. However, the Uzbek's is the last chance of the match, because the Salento team is unable to scare Silker. At the final whistle, the team of Ranieri, the 0-1 at Via del Mare is enough to seal the seventh consecutive victory for Roma, while the Salento team unfortunately has to deal with their fifth consecutive defeat.