Kevin Strootman scored the winner as Roma beat Serie B side Ternana 2-1 in a friendly on Gervinho’s debut.
Kevin Strootman scored the winner as Roma beat Serie B side Ternana 2-1 in a friendly on Gervinho’s debut.
Coach Rudi Garcia used a 4-3-3 system with Tottenham’s €35m transfer target Erik Lamela, but Pablo Daniel Osvaldo was on the bench due to a muscular problem.
Federico Balzaretti broke the deadlock with one of his trademark blockbusters from distance into the top corner.
Ternana were able to draw level through Antenucci’s penalty, but only two minutes later Strootman volleyed in from close range to restore the Giallorossi advantage.
Dutch international Strootman went off with a left ankle problem and ex-Arsenal striker Gervinho made his debut, replacing Lamela for the final half-hour.
The Ivory Coast forward immediately went close 60 seconds after coming on to the pitch, testing the goalkeeper with an angled drive from Francesco Totti’s assist.
Marquinho thumped the upright, as there were no more goals in Terni.
Ternana 1-2 Roma
Scorers: Balzaretti 11 (R), Antenucci pen 33 (T), Strootman 35 (R)
Ternana: Brignoli (Sala 73); Ferronetti (Meccariello 69), Masi, Lauro (Farkas 46); Fazio (Alfageme 46), Carcuro (Bernardi 46), Viola (Botta 69), Maiello (Rossini 85), Zito (Ferrari 85); Ceravolo (Nolè 46), Antenucci (Litteri 69)
Roma: De Sanctis; Maicon, Benatia (Jedvaj 69), Castan, Balzaretti (Dodò 83); Pjanic (Marquinho 63), De Rossi (Taddei 69), Strootman (Bradley 58); Lamela (Gervinho 61), Totti, Florenzi