Roma beat Genoa 2-0 to stay two points behind leaders Inter

Roma handled Genoa with confidence and produced a 2-0 victory that keeps their pursuit of Inter alive in Serie A. Daniele De Rossi, a true Giallorossi legend, returned to the Stadio Olimpico in the visitors' dugout and received an emotional reception, but the home side refused to let nostalgia get in the way and took control after the break.

• Roma won 2-0 against Genoa at the Olimpico and remain two points behind Inter, who beat Bologna.
• Daniele De Rossi received a warm ovation on his return to the stadium where he shone as a player.
• Santiago Castro and Emanuel Lulli scored the goals for the home team.
• Genoa, with only one point, drop into the Serie A relegation zone.

De Rossi returns to the Olimpico and Roma pay tribute without concessions

Daniele De Rossi came back to the Olimpico, this time in charge of Genoa, and the Roma faithful gave him the kind of reception reserved for a legend. The coach, who spent almost his entire playing career at Roma, felt the love of the crowd before kick-off. But once the ball started rolling there was no room for sentiment: Roma needed the three points and were not prepared to give anything away.

Major absences force Roma to suffer before the break

Roma arrived still shaken by their midweek Champions League defeat to Real Madrid and with a long list of unavailable players. Gian Piero Gasperini could not call on key figures such as goalscorer Malen, suspended after being sent off against Como, or the injured Dybala, Manu Koné, Cristante and goalkeeper Svilar. With so many absences, the home side struggled to get going.

Genoa controlled the early stages and goalkeeper Justin Bijlow only had to deal with a couple of straightforward efforts from Matías Soulé and Niccolò Pisilli. Roma began to click after the half-hour mark, built up momentum and almost took the lead when Leonardo Balerdi headed against the crossbar following a corner. Genoa replied immediately with a powerful long-range strike from Stephan El Shaarawy that also rattled the woodwork.

Santiago Castro produces a magical opener for Roma

After the interval Roma came out determined to settle the match and found the breakthrough quickly. In the 50th minute, Santiago Castro scored a genuinely wonderful goal. The Argentine striker collected the ball inside the box among a crowd of defenders, stepped on it and clipped it over Bijlow with a deft touch. It was his first goal in a Giallorossi shirt since arriving from Bologna this summer.

Academy graduate Lulli seals it with his first professional goal

The seal came from Emanuel Lulli, a 19-year-old right-back developed in Roma's youth system. The youngster, scoring his first professional goal, tapped into an empty net in the 69th minute after a Matías Soulé shot was deflected by a defender and the ball fell kindly to him. It was the finishing touch to a fine team move and sparked celebrations at the Olimpico.

Genoa sink into the relegation zone

Roma enjoyed themselves at times against a Genoa side that could not find a way back. The visitors, with four points and only one point secured, drop into the Serie A relegation places. In the closing minutes Robinho Junior, a 19-year-old and son of the former Santos, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Milan forward, made his debut for Genoa. His father is currently serving a prison sentence for gang rape during his time in Italian football.