Monza vs AS Roma: Mourinho’s men fall behind in top four race

Monza vs AS Roma: Mourinho’s men fall behind in top four race

Joba Ogunwale 22:47 - 03.05.2023

AS Roma face a battle to qualify for the Champions League next season after another disappointing result on Wednesday night.

AS Roma’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via the league took another blow after they played out a disappointing 1-1 draw against Monza in their Serie A clash at Brianteo Stadium. 

Mourinho’s men needed to win to stay in touch with their rivals in a keenly contested top four race in Serie A. 

How it happened 

Roma came into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against AC Milan after conceding a late equaliser against the champions. 

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Again, Mourinho was without players like Paulo Dybala, Gini Wijnaldum, Chris Smalling and Diego Llorente, all nursing injuries. 

Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic was also suspended due to an accumulation of yellow. The absence of key players and tiredness forced Mourinho to make a few changes. 

The changes appeared to affect Roma as they ceded early possession to their hosts. Monza started brightly, and they almost took the lead through Dany Mota. 

However, the Portuguese strike was brilliantly kept out by Rui Patricio in Roma’s goal. Mourinho’s men did grow into the game, but the match lacked real quality, with neither side able to create chances. 

However, Roma were gifted the opener after Tammy Abraham forced Monza’s goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio into a mistake, allowing Stephan El Shaarawy to slot home. 

The goal gave Roma confidence, but they were pegged back almost immediately as Luca Cardirola’s side-footed volley went past Patricio to draw Monza level before the break. 

Patricio salvages a point for Roma 

The second half followed a similar pattern with Monza surprisingly dominating possession. The home side had the best chance of the half as Mota’s goalbound effort was tipped just wide off the post by Patricio. 

With his players tired, Mourinho made a couple of changes. But despite the changes, Roma failed to score the second goal that would have given them the win. 

The result means Roma drop to seventh on the table, level on points with Atalanta and AC Milan, two behind their next opponent Inter Milan in fourth place. 

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