Roma starting XI (4-3-3): Rui Patricio, Karsdorp, Huijsen, Llorente, Spinazzola (subbed for Kristensen), Bove, Paredes, Pellegrini, Dybala (subbed for Zalewski), Lukaku, El Shaarawy (subbed for Belotti)
Bench: Svilar, Boer, Golic, Oliveras, Celik, Pagano, Pisilli, Joao Costa
Goals: Lukaku 19’, Pellegrini 25’
Verona starting XI (4-2-3-1): Montipò, Tchatchoua, Magnani, Dawidowicz, Cabal, Folorunsho, Serdar, Mboula (subbed for Bonazzoli), Suslov, Saponara (subbed for Cruz), Djuric (subbed for Henry)
Bench: Chiesa, Perilli, Amione, Charlys, Calabrese, Cissé
There were protests outside the stadium following the firing of Jose Mourinho.
Inside the Stadio Olimpico, new Roma coach De Rossi - the former Giallorossi captain - was greeted by loud cheers. Yet there were also numerous banners saluting Mourinho.
It was a unique atmosphere for De Rossi’s debut as Roma quickly shed Mourinho’s defensive style for a more offensive approach in a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Hellas Verona.
Romelu Lukaku and Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini scored six minutes apart during the first half, with both goals set up by Stephan El Shaarawy.
Michael Folorunsho pulled one back for Verona with a long, swerving shot midway through the second half after teammate Milan Djuric missed a penalty kick, setting up a nervy finale for Roma.
The victory moved Roma within two points of the top four and the Champions League zone - the objective De Rossi was charged with when he signed a six-month contract.
AAP
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