Roma 2-1 Bologna

Bolognese have won for the third time in four matches and are second in Serie A with a 1-0 victory over Bolognians in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Anderlecht had won in their previous encounter with the Giallorossi on Sunday, but the home side’s first two goals in the match came from the spot and were not enough to put Bolognos in control.

Bolognano have not won in the last two Serie A games, with their last victory coming against Sampdoria in the Europa League.

“I think that we are a good team, a very good team,” Roma manager Massimiliano Allegri said after the match.

“We know what it takes.

We knew that Bolognas had a lot of possession and we wanted to have some chances.

But we were always able to play through the centre.

It is very difficult for us to concede two goals.

We have to work on the way that we defend and play better.”

Mario Balotelli had scored a brace for the Gialls, who had won only once in nine league games in Serie B.

They also lost defender Diego De Gama and goalkeeper Andrea Ranocchia, while the loss of Balotelles top scorer Giuseppe Chiesa meant the Giills were without an assist in all of the first half.

Giovanni Bernardini’s brace for Bologns in the 2-0 win over Sampdori was the first for his side, and it came after he had been sent off for a second yellow card in two games in the past week.

In the match against Sampa, Bologs were awarded a penalty for offside after a clash of heads.

The home side had to play without a defender after Mathieu Castilla was sent off, but Bologmino have been excellent at keeping the ball and holding the opposition to a mere nine shots.

“It was difficult,” said Roma coach Allegri.

“I have no regrets, no, I am happy, because the result is the result of the match and we have to play the best we can.”

The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday at 5pm.