Roma beat Sunderland 2-0 in their first summer friendly with Felix Afena Gyan and Nicolò Zaniolo on target.
The Italy international was introduced in the second half as he had missed the last two days of training due to physical issues.
His absences from training have fuelled transfer speculations, with Roma open to listening to offers for the 22-year-old who has two years left in his contract with the Giallorossi.
Fair to say that Zaniolo changed the game today as, after a quiet first half, José Mourinho’s side looked more and more dangerous since the Italy international was introduced.
He first hit the post with a side-foot finish from the edge of the box and came close to scoring once more before youngster Afena Gyan, also introduced in the second half, broke the deadlock with a surgical finish from inside the box.
Zaniolo made it two with less than ten minutes remaining but didn’t celebrate after his goal.
Juventus remain interested in the 22-year-old but don’t want to match Roma’s €50m asking price and would rather offer Arthur or Denis Zakaria in a loan swap deal.