De Rossi’s Roma revival continues with Monza thumping

Roma continued their revival under Daniele De Rossi on Saturday with a convincing 4-1 win at Monza which boosted their hopes of Champions League football next season.

The three points came at the U-Power Stadium thanks to goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini and Romelu Lukaku towards the end of the first half before Paulo Dybala’s stunning free-kick in the 63rd minute and a late Leandro Paredes penalty.

Andrea Carboni netted a fine consolation goal for 11th-placed Monza with a long-range rocket. 

The win was Roma’s sixth in seven league fixtures since De Rossi replaced Jose Mourinho in January and moved them fifth.

Roma are one point behind Bologna who sit in the final Champions League spot and are at top-four rivals Atalanta on Sunday evening.

De Rossi was a surprise choice to take over at the capital club after Mourinho’s sudden sacking, but he has so far risen to the task.

The only league match Roma have not won under their former captain was against runaway leaders Inter Milan, a 4-2 defeat but one that came after a fine performance.

Saturday’s win was perfect preparation for the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie with Brighton on Thursday, which will be played in front of a packed and loud Stadio Olimpico.

Roma reached two consecutive European finals under Mourinho, who was beloved by fans for ending a 14-year trophy drought with the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2022.

De Rossi will have star attackers Dybala and Lukaku in good spirits after a strong performance from the pair in northern Italy.

Dybala’s free-kick was his ninth goal since the turn of the year and his 12th in the league this season, while he also set up Lukaku’s first league strike since De Rossi’s debut win over Verona.

Earlier, bottom team Salernitana held Udinese to a 1-1 draw, while seventh-placed Fiorentina continue their bid for European football at Torino in Saturday’s late match.