AS Roma had a different lineup against Bulgarians CSKA Sofia after winning all five games between Serie A and the Conference League play-offs this season. And as a result, Roma thrashed CSKA Sofia with a five-goal victory over 1 in the UEFA Conference League group stage football match. The Giallorossi got off to a shaky start, with three players leaving the loose ball, allowing Graham Carey to pounce and blast it into the far top corner from a tight angle.
Eldor Shomurodov was denied by Busatto after Stephan El Shaarawy failed to capitalize on an inspired Gonzalo Villar ball over the top. With a fantastic individual goal, Lorenzo Pellegrini equalized controlling a Rick Karsdorp cross on the edge of the box, the second with the inside of his right boot looping into the far top corner.
Roma was a little sluggish and risked an equalizer, after the break with Rui Patricio making himself big against Muhar at the near post. They took the cue and increased their lead, with Riccardo Calafiori getting to the byline and pulling back for Pellegrini’s cushioned finish from seven yards. The Bulgarians were reduced to ten men by Wildschut’s second bookable offence on Carles Perez.
Moments later Roma added a fourth goal and Chris Smalling volleyed from close range onto the far post, but Gianluca Mancini turned in the rebound. Shomurodov also hit the same upright, and his assist enabled Tammy Abraham to break the offside trap and finish over the oncoming goalkeeper. Roma thrashed CSKA Sofia as the game ended in a 5-1 match score.
AS Roma 5 – 1 CSKA Sofia
Goals: 0 – 1 Carey 10, 1 – 1 Pellegrini 25, 2 – 1 El Shaarawy 38, 3 – 1 Pellegrini 62, 4 – 1 Mancini 82, 5 – 1 Abraham 84
Bookings: Lam
Sent off: Wildschut
AS Roma: Patricio, Calafiori, Smalling, Mancini, Karsdorp, Diawara, Villar, El Shaarawy, Pellegrini, Perez, Shomurodov
Substitutions: Kumbulla, Cristante, Ibanez, Abraham
CSKA Sofia: Busatto, Turitsov, Mattheij, Galabov, Mazikou, Yomov, Muhar, Lam, Wildschut, Carey, Krastev
Substitutions: Ahmedov, Donchev, Bai
