Scorchers from Edoardo Bove and Romelu Lukaku had the game wrapped up for Roma within 17 minutes, winning this head-to-head with Slavia Prague for top spot in the group.
Both teams had a perfect record going into the match and Prague had not conceded a single goal. Jose Mourinho continued his touchline ban, with Paulo Dybala, Renato Sanches, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham, Leonardo Spinazzola, Chris Smalling and Marash Kumbulla injured. The Czech side missed Petr Sevcik and David Pech, returning to the Olimpico for the first time since winning the UEFA Cup quarter-final in extra time in 1996.
It took just 43 seconds to break the deadlock, as Stephan El Shaarawy won it back, laid off for Edoardo Bove, whose stunning right-foot curler from outside the box found the far top corner. It was the fastest goal in Roma’s UEFA history.
El Shaarawy also inspired the second, reacting quickly to a loose ball in midfield and threading through for Lukaku, who hammered it into the roof of the net from a tight angle with his trusty left foot. It was his 14th consecutive Europa League appearance on target.
Mile Svilar had to get down for a difficult one-handed save on the deflected Mick van Buren effort, pushing it round the near post.
Lukaku drilled just wide of the near post and El Shaarawy was very unlucky with his curler that thumped the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Moments later, Ivan Schranz should’ve done better when he was sent through by Vaclav Jurecka and fired over as Svilar came rushing out to narrow the angle.
The Giallorossi largely tried to control their lead in the second half and Andrea Belotti forced a save at the near post on a long ball.
Roma 2-0 Slavia Prague
Bove 1 (R), Lukaku 17 (R)
Player statistic
| Edoardo Bove (Assist: Stephan El Shaarawy) |
 |
1' | ||
| Romelu Lukaku (Assist: Stephan El Shaarawy) |
|
17' | ||
| Edoardo Bove |  |
23' | ||
| 27' | |
Lukas Masopust |
| Evan Ndicka | |
68' |
Match statistic
