If you’re an AC Monza fan, look away now. For AS Roma supporters, however, this *4-0 demolition* of Serie A’s bottom side was a masterclass in dominance—a mix of screamers, tactical brilliance, and a bench so deep it could solve ocean mysteries. Let’s unpack how Roma’s renaissance under Claudio Ranieri crushed Monza’s faint survival hopes.
Rewind to November: Roma were adrift with 13 points in 12 games, leaking goals and morale. Enter *Claudio Ranieri*, the “Tinkerman” who turned Leicester City into fairy-tale champions. Fast forward nine games: unbeaten, surging up the table, and now just two points behind sixth-place Fiorentina. And they did it *without* top scorer Artem Dovbyk (injured) and Paulo Dybala (benched initially). Talk about squad depth.
First Half: Roma Flex Early (and Often)
- 10’: *Alexis Saelemaekers*—on loan from AC Milan—cut inside, shrugged off Monza’s ghostly defense, and unleashed a *curling missile* into the top corner. Assist? A cheeky nod to *Eldor Shomurodov*, who decided setting up goals wasn’t enough.
- 32’: *Matias Soulé* delivered a GPS-guided cross, and Shomurodov nodded it home. **2-0**, and Monza’s fans were already drafting angry tweets.
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Second Half: Substitutions and Suffering
Monza swapped *Petagna* and *Zeroli* at halftime, but Roma’s bench was just warming up.
- 62’: *Paulo Dybala* entered, because why not flex your superstar subs?
- 73’: Loanee *Angelino*—still shaking off jet lag—tapped in Bryan Cristante’s setup. **3-0**. Game. Set. Match.
- 88’: Cristante capped the night, slotting home Dybala’s assist. **4-0**. Mic drop.
Monza’s substitutions (*Urbanski*, *Martins*)? Less “super sub,” more “desperation bingo.”
- Stats Don’t Lie: 27% possession, 14 shots faced in the first half, and a defense leakier than a colander.
- Nesta’s Nightmare: Rehired less than two months after being sacked, Alessandro Nesta now faces Mission: Impossible.
One win in 18 games. Seven points from safety. Twelve matches left. Serie B isn’t looming—it’s *knocking*.
- Roma’s Depth: Dybala off the bench? Soulé and Shomurodov linking like lifelong partners? Even fringe players like *Rensch* got minutes. This squad’s ready for Europe.
- Monza’s Meltdown: Their defense treated Roma’s attackers like VIPs. If Nesta’s plan was “hope for a miracle,” it’s time for Plan B.
- Roma: Nine games unbeaten. Three winnable Serie A fixtures and a Europa League clash with Athletic Bilbao. Dark horse? More like a *stampeding stallion*.
- Monza: Next up? Inter Milan and Lazio. Survival would require a *Money Heist*
-level plot twist. Otherwise, Serie B’s pasta-filled away days await.
Final Whistle: Roma fans are singing; Monza fans are Googling “how to rebuild a team in Serie B.” Football’s cruel, glorious, and utterly unpredictable. But tonight? It was all Roma.
Drop your take: Can Monza pull off the escape, or is Nesta doomed? Let’s hear it below!* 🍿⚽