Roma 3-1 Genoa: De Rossi suffers defeat on return to Stadio Olimpico

Daniele De Rossi experienced a disappointing night on his return to the Stadio Olimpico as a first-half blitz saw Roma run out comfortable 3-1 winners over Genoa.

The home side did not take long to open the deadlock, with a mistimed header at the back setting Matias Soule through on goal after 14 minutes, and he made no mistake with a curling finish beyond Daniele Sommariva.

Roma scored a second just five minutes later, as Manu Kone burst from midfield and found the net with a side-footed effort, after fine play by Evan Ferguson in the build-up.

Ferguson scored himself with a scruffy finish from close range after Sommariva had made a strong stop to deny Soule from netting his second of the match, putting Roma 3-0 up in the 31st minute.

| 3 POINTS!

What a game from the boys!#ASRoma #RomaGenoa pic.twitter.com/PmsekCR700

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) December 29, 2025

Genoa improved in the second half and pulled a goal back with three minutes of normal time remaining, via Jeff Ekhator’s deflected volley.

Roma moved back above Juventus and into fourth place in Serie A, three points behind leaders Inter in a congested title race.

Data Debrief: A night to forget for De Rossi

This was the first time that Roma legend De Rossi had gone up against his former club, and he saw his team lose a third straight game.

Genoa were their own worst enemies, and they managed just two shots on target, registering 0.93 expected goals.

They also continued their terrible record against Roma, with this latest defeat leaving them with just one victory from their last 21 Serie A meetings against the Giallorossi. The match was beyond them after just 31 minutes, and they have now conceded 13 goals in the first half this season, with only Torino (16) conceding more in Serie A.

Kone, meanwhile, was a standout performer in Roma’s midfield. He scored his first league goal since December 7, 2024, while he completed 91.9% of his passes, the best accuracy of any player on the pitch.