Roma have qualified for the Conference League group stage after a 3-0 win over Trabzonspor at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Giallorossi had sealed a 2-1 win in Turkey a week ago, so a draw would have been enough for the Giallorossi to book their place for the next phase.
José Mourinho didn’t rotate his squad much, starting Rui Patricio in goal, Nicolò Zaniolo in midfield and Tammy Abraham up front.
Former Serie A players Bruno Peres, Vitor Hugo, Marek Hamsik, Gervinho and Andreas Cornelius got the nod for the visitors.
Bryan Cristante opened the scoring after 20 minutes, making the most of a Rick Karsdorp assist with a left-foot effort into the far corner.
The Giallorossi almost doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, but the Italy midfielder saw his volley saved by Ugurcan Cakir.
Abraham’s header hit the woodwork and Rui Patricio was decisive with saves on Vitor Hugo and Hamsik before Zaniolo scored on the counterattack.
Zaniolo broke into tears during celebrations as that was his first goal in an official game since July 2020.
El Shaarawy finished the job for the Giallorossi with a right-footed curler into the far corner.
ROMA (4-2-3-1): Rui Patricio; Karsdorp, Mancini, Ibañez, Viña; Cristante, Veretout (78′ Villar); Zaniolo (78′ El Shaarawy), Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan (72′ C. Perez); Abraham (64′ Shomurodov).
TRABZONSPOR (4-3-3): Cakir; Bruno Peres (72′ Serkan), Edgar, Vitor Hugo, Trondsen (72′ Ismaili); Bakasetas, Siopis (66′ Yussuf), Hamsik; Gervinho (46′ Omur), Cornelius (19′ Djaniny), Nwakaeme.
If Roma can win on Sunday, the players and fans will be full of confidence and positivity going into the international break!! FORÇA ROMA FORÇA MOURINHO!!🇮🇹⚽️🏆
Great start to the season so far. It’s early but in previous summers this is just the type of qualification fixture Roma would have stumbled over or at best scraped through.
Mourinho! Please sign Iliax Mariba from Fc Barcelona: He can help to solve Roma‘s midfield problems.