Roma 4-1 Torino: Match report, reaction and key statistics

In a game that saw Edin Dzeko set another club record - becoming the first player in Giallorossi history to score in eight straight games - his early strike also helped Luciano Spalletti's to a rather straightforward three points, with Mohamed Salah making it 2-0 inside the first 20 minutes.

Paredes then sparkled some magic on the game with a glorious half-volley just after the hour-mark, as he hit a first-time drive that fizzed past Joe Hart and into the bottom corner.

That effectively wrapped up the three points, with substitute Maxi Lopez's late consolation then offset by Radja Nainggolan's last-minute strike.

Following on from Thursday's brilliant Europa League victory in Spain, the Giallorossi hit the ground once again on home turf, with Dzeko taking just 10 minutes to open the scoring. The No. 9 wriggled free down the right and shifted the ball out of his feet, before hitting a low drive that found the far corner.

Soon after it was two - as Salah's half-volley found the bottom corner - before Paredes would one-up that particular strike in the second half.

Torino actually enjoyed much of the possession for long periods of the game, although they struggled to turn it into something meaningful. Lopez's breakaway strike was the one exception - although Nainggolan ensured there was something of an encore for the fans as he turned home substitute Francesco Totti's cutback with precision.

Ahead of an increasingly difficult run of fixtures, this was another ideal result..

Team selection

The coach opted to make four changes from the team that won 4-0 against Villarreal on Thursday, although not all of them were that surprisingly. Wojciech Szczesny returned between the sticks, while Mohamed Salah also came into the attack to replace Stephan El Shaarawy.

Elsewhere, Leandro Paredes returned to the centre of midfield after starting the previous Serie A meeting against Crotone, as Daniele De Rossi was given another rest. Antonio Rudiger was also given a rare afternoon off, as Juan Jesus came in to replace him.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

3’ – On the counter Radja nearly finds Dzeko in space, but the ball is cleared for a corner.

4’ – Early chance from a corner for Roma. Manolas flicks on for Jesus, but the defender can’t find the target.

10’ – GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Dzeko cuts inside onto his right and unleashes a low drive that finds the bottom corner! 1-0!

12’ – A fine passing team move ends with Nainggolan hitting the low drive … but Hart saves and holds.

15’ – Another Dzeko shot, this time from a tighter angle, is dealt with by Hart.

17’ – 2-0! AND IN STYLE! Strootman’s ball for Dzeko is flicked away … but Salah runs onto it and volleys brilliantly into the bottom corner!

20’ – POST! Another bursting Roma run sees Salah cut onto his left – his curling effort beats Hart but can’t creep inside the frame of the goal!

21’ – A Benassi pot-shot is high and wide.

24’ – A bit of a mix-up in defence, but Fazio recovers enough to ensure Belotti cannot find the target from close range.

36’ – Paredes goes for the spectacular but can’t keep his shot down

40’ – Lukic hits an ambitious love drive that flashes fractionally wide of the target. Close for the visitors.

45’ – Benassi threatens to get clear, but Peres snuffs out the opening and Szczesny gathers.

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

51’ – Emerson crosses for Dzeko, who chests down but then fires narrowly over the bar.

55’ – A dangerous cross from Torino flashes across the face of the goal but Belotti can’t get a touch.

65’ – GOAL! WHAT A STRIKE! Paredes runs onto the ball 30 yards out and hits a brilliant low half-volley that arrows into the bottom corner! 3-0! WOW!

71’ – Fazio’s header from a corner is held by Hart.

76’ – Dzeko goes for a similar effort to his opening goal – but this time his strike is fractionally high and wide of the far post.

84' - Goal for Torino. Maxi Lopez breaks the offside trap and does well to finish beyond Szczesny. 3-1.

90' - GOAL! ANOTHER FOR ROMA! Totti lays the ball back for Nainggolan, who finishes emphatically! 4-1!

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

More to follow...

“The lads did well tonight because after the great win against Villarreal there was a risk that our tempo would drop off and that would have played into Torino’s hands."As it happened we looked good out there, pressing from the off and showing what we’re about ... our rivals are doing well and if we lose focus we risk them overtaking us. That’s the only thing we can be thinking about."

- Luciano Spalletti

"It’s important to score a goal but the most important thing is the team wins, and Dzeko scores and whoever else scores. It’s not very important to score for me – of course I like to score, but the main thing is that the team wins."

- Mohamed Salah

What's next?

Roma's next engagement is the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie with Villarreal, with the Stadio Olimpico playing host to a 19:00 CET kick-off on Thursday. Should the Giallorossi progress, the draw for the next round will take place the following day.

The club's next Serie A encounter is against Inter Milan on Sunday, before Wednesday sees them face Lazio in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final. Saturday then sees another Stadio Olimpico encounter, as Napoli come to town for a huge Serie A meeting.

A big few weeks for the Giallorossi.

ROMA 4-1 TORINO

Goalscorers: Dzeko (10'), Salah (17'), Paredes (65'), Nainggolan (90'); Lopez (84')

Roma: Szczesny; Jesus, Fazio, Manolas (Vermaelen); Emerson, Strootman (Totti), Paredes, Peres; Nainggolan, Salah; Dzeko (Perotti).

Torino: Hart; Zappacosta, De Silvestri, Moretti, Barreca; Benassi (Boye), Lukic, Baselli; Falque (Iturbe), Belotti, Ljajic (Lopez).