Bologna 0-3 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

This time the stage was the Stadio Renato dall'Ara in Emilia-Romagna, and this time Mohamed Salah scored just once (after scoring a hat-trick at the Stadio Olimpico). But Federico Fazio opened the scoring and, with 15 minutes remaining, Edin Dzeko finished it off - as the Giallorossi clinched a valuable win.

The result means they remain just six points behind league leaders Juventus, with seven games in the campaign remaining.

In truth it was not the most convincing performance of the season, but the visitors were clinical when it mattered and got the job done.

Roma started slowly but sparked into life after 25 minutes, as Fazio pounced on a loose ball inside the box to drive powerfully into the roof of the net.

From that point on the side seemed to settle, and they eventually doubled their advantage before the break. It was Salah who grabbed his fourth goal of the season against Roberto Donadoni's side, as he latched onto Dzeko's clever pass before lobbing the helpless Antonio Mirante.

In the second half it was Dzeko who grabbed his 34th goal of the campaign, as Salah and Perotti combined to give him the simplest of finishes. Beyond that Bologna dominated the chances - but Wojciech Szczesny held every shot that came at him as the win was eventually secured.

Team selection

With Emerson Palmieri not travelling with the squad due to injury, coach Luciano Spalletti opted to field Juan Jesus at left-back - giving the back four a resilient look to it.

That change in defensive shape facilitated further changes upfield, with Edin Dzeko supported by both Mohamed Salah and Stephan El Shaarawy as Daniele De Rossi returned to the side as captain after a recent injury absence.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

4' - A half-chance for Verdi as he threatens to break free inside the box, but his shot is blocked.

26' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! El Shaarawy's inswinging corner isn't cleared, and Federico Fazio spins onto the loose ball to rifle a half-volley into the roof of the net! 0-1!

31' - Rudiger's cross nearly finds Dzeko! Bologna counter quickly but Fazio clears...

38' - CLOSE! Salah's cross finds El Shaarawy inside the six-yard box, but Mirante makes the important block!

41' - GOAL! ADVANTAGE DOUBLED! Dzeko flicks the ball in behind for his winger, and Salah does brilliantly to shrug off Masina before lobbing the ball beyond Mirante! 0-2!

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

47' - Good chance for Bologna - sub Di Francesco's cross is met powerfully by Dzemaili but it's straight at Szczesny!

51' - Post! Di Francesco runs beyond the defence and hits a shot from out wide... but it hits the post and comes out!

64' - Gastaldello meets the outswinging corner, but Szczesny saves and holds comfortably.

75' - GOAL! THAT MUST BE IT! Salah's pass completely splits the defence - Perotti has the chance to go it alone but instead he squares for Dzeko to slide home! 0-3!

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

"You have to congratulate the team for [their reaction]. The players acted like real professionals. They accepted the disappointment [in the week], trained hard and turned up here to play a match under difficult circumstances. The temperature today was incredible. They were perfect.”

- Luciano Spalletti

What's next?

The Giallorossi are back in action in six days, as they return to the Stadio Olimpico for another important clash - hosting Atalanta on Saturday afternoon in a big Easter fixture.

Following that Spalletti's side travel to Pescara to face the top-flight strugglers on Monday 24 April.

BOLOGNA 0-3 ROMA

Goalscorers: Fazio (26'), Salah (41'), Dzeko (76')

Bologna: Mirante, Krafth, Maietta, Gastaldello, Masina; Nagy, Pulgar, Dzemaili; Verdi, Destro, Krejci.

Roma: Szczesny; Jesus, Fazio, Manolas (Vermaelen), Rudiger; De Rossi, Strootman; El Shaarawy (Perotti, Nainggolan, Salah; Dzeko (Totti).