After a controversial loss to Juventus last time around, Roma came out swinging at home against Chievo to answer any doubts that there may have been about how the defeat would affect the side. It didn't take long for Mattia Destro to head those qualms away from a corner, before Adem Ljajic added a sensational second and Francesco Totti finished off the game with a penalty later in the first half to help Rudi Garcia's side move within one point of Juventus.
If Roma were in cruise control during the second half, it's because they could be. At times the match looked like a vintage game from fall 2013 Roma, when the side would have one very good half, put the game to rest, and then stroll until the final whistle. Totti came off after 60 minutes because there's the game against Bayern Munich on Tuesday; Salih Ucan got his season debut and Leandro Paredes got valuable minutes because they could. Garcia believes in breeding youth and at one point, Roma had Paredes, Ljajic, Destro, Ucan, Alessandro Florenzi on the pitch at the same time, all of whom are 23 years old or under. Miralem Pjanic is just a year older and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is just 25. To have such a good record with a side so young speaks volumes to how well Roma is doing in this present moment.
The bodies are not all back yet but Kostas Manolas' suspension from Serie A means he'll be fresh against Bayern and give either Davide Astori (who looked very comfortable on his return after about a month out) or Yanga-Mbiwa (who has played almost every game in recent weeks) a rest. Gervinho and Juan Iturbe were rested entirely with a view to the Champions League, which should give Roma a very fresh front line against one of the absolute best teams in the world. Garcia is a shrewd rotator and is showing he's able to balance the demands of the league with European commitments.
As for the Chievo match itself, it was refreshingly low key. The two opening goals were simply fantastic pieces of individual skill, and though the penalty may have been soft, few on Chievo had any complaints. The performance from Roma was so dominant, and Chievo's season so poor, that Eugenio Corini was sacked on Sunday morning -- the same coach who said immediately after the match that Roma were a quality side who deservedly defeated his team. Totti agreed, noting that the win was important for the side mentally and noting how well Roma began the match.
It was, in a word, simple, and that's the true genius Garcia has given this side. A team like Chievo used to be a big sticking point for Roma in the past, but nowadays the side no longer plays down to the level of competition; the team plays in harmony, and someone usually finds a way. That someone is quickly becoming Destro himself, who now has three goals in three starts this season; Garcia's biggest headache may be how to rotate successfully once Kevin Strootman and Seydou Keita are fit again.
Some problems, however, are nicer to have than others.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Morgan De Sanctis, 6.5: Didn't have a whole lot to do, but had two moments where he raced out of the box to play sweeper-keeper and clear the ball. His commanding presence at the back was missed while he was injured.
DF Ashley Cole, 6: A tidy game from the fullback.
DF Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, 6.5: He continues to impress as few fourth choice centre backs would, but his physicality can be a positive or a negative.
DF Davide Astori, 7:Surprisingly confident on his return from injury, he was incredibly smooth playing the ball out of the back and looking more and more like a player Garcia's system truly elevates.
DF Douglas Maicon, 7: Not much left to say about a man who's won quite a bit in football, but his presence simply makes Roma a better, more dangerous team.
MF Radja Nainggolan, 6.5: A bit sloppy; has played a lot in recent weeks not only for Roma but finally for Belgium, where he scored during European qualifiers against Miralem Pjanic's Bosnia-Herzegovina.
MF Daniele De Rossi, 6.5: A quiet metronome who helps keep the team ticking in midfield. A welcome return, as well.
MF Miralem Pjanic, 7: Assisted the opener with a fantastic corner, but with Pjanic there's sometimes the feeling that he's not quite at the absurdly high level at which he could be.
FW Francesco Totti, 8: Appreciate every single second this man plays football. That's now three goals in three games for Totti, against Manchester City, Juventus, and Chievo. His penalty was a great one and his assist for Ljajic even better.
FW Adem Ljajic, 7.5: When Ljajic plays like this he's very, very good. Smooth and classy, with a finish that will hopefully raise his confidence. These are the exact kind of games that need this exact kind of performance from Ljajic.
FW Mattia Destro, 7: Would have a higher score if he managed to finish one of his other chances, but Chievo's Francesco Bardi had a solid day in net. His header to open the match was technically brilliant, diving one way and putting enough spin and power on the ball to divert it in the other direction. The difference maker.