Ola Solbakken scored his first goal in the Roma jersey, ending Verona’s five-match unbeaten run despite a spate of injury problems to stay joint third with Milan.
The Giallorossi had Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini carrying muscular problems, so Ola Solbakken had his first start for the club and Rick Karsdorp’s return for the first time since the ugly row with Jose Mourinho in November. Hellas were revitalised by eight points from four games, but had Miguel Veloso, Milan Djuric, Ajdin Hrustic and Thomas Henry injured.
Abraham had been in doubt to feature with flu symptoms and he went off after just 15 minutes when Bryan Cristante accidentally caught him on the face with a trailing boot during a chaotic corner kick, making way for Andrea Belotti.
Darko Lazovic’s volley was straight at Rui Patricio and he might’ve been offside on a quickly-taken free kick, while Stephan El Shaarawy and Solbakken had efforts charged down.
Leonardo Spinazzola intercepted a wayward Fabio Depaoli pass to surge forward, his deflected strike forcing a tricky save from Lorenzo Montipò.
Chris Smalling was booked and will be suspended against Cremonese, while Isak Hien risked a second yellow for a tussle with Belotti.
El Shaarawy battled to create a chance, only for Solbakken to overhit the return pass, but the breakthrough arrived on the stroke of half-time.
It was a well-worked quick passing move, completed by the Spinazzola back-heel flick for Solbakken to slide in left-footed, the angled drive nestling into the far bottom corner from nine yards.
El Shaarawy was fired up and tested Montipò with a solo effort, but Verona pushed harder after the break with Pawel Dawidowicz’s shot charged down and Cyril Ngonge firing over the bar.
There was a double chance with Jayden Braaf’s effort charged down by Gianluca Mancini and the Josh Doig follow-up deflected wide off Bryan Cristante.
Smalling also risked a second yellow for his foul on Kevin Lasagna, from which Ondrej Duda’s free kick was slapped out of the far top corner by Rui Patricio.
Yet at the 89th minute it was Montipo’ who had to make the desperate flying save on Belotti’s header, as Roger Ibanez knocked back the Nicola Zalewski corner.
Roma 1-0 Verona
Solbakken 45 (R)
Player statistic
| 28' |  |
Isak Hien | ||
| Chris Smalling | |
38' | ||
| 43' | |
Cyril Ngonge | ||
| Ola Solbakken (Assist: Leonardo Spinazzola) |
 |
45+1' |
Match statistic
