On September 2020 the 19th Pedro Rodriguez made his official debut for AS Roma in Serie A opening fixture away against Hellas Verona. The Stadio Bentegodi hosted a hard-fought draw with Pedro on the starting line-up. The Tenerife-born attacker played a key role for the visitors with a good 90-minute performance, only the goal missed the date despite some good chances for the Spaniard on the first half.
The woodwork thwarted both sides at the Bentegodi. The hosts hit the bar in both halves - courtesy of Adrien Tameze and Federico Dimarco - but also had the frame of the goal to thank late on, as Leonardo Spinazzola's long-range half-volley crashed down off the crossbar and out.
While Antonio Mirante got a crucial touch to flick Tameze's first-half strike away from the target his opposite number, Marco Silvestri, was also often busy - with a diving save from Lorenzo Pellegrini frustrating the Giallorossi captain midway through the second half.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pedro - making his debut for the club - also both had great first half chances courtesy of Spinazzola, although both attackers dragged their first-time shots wide.
As time wore on the hosts grew in confidence and threat, but Mirante never looked in serious danger of conceding - especially after Davide Faraoni's marauding run ended with him dragging a cross harmlessly across goal.
Paulo Fonseca's side are back in action next weekend - they host Juventus in their first home game of the season at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
- Match stats:
Hellas Verona (3-4-2-1): Silvestri; Cetin, Gunter (22’ st Ruegg), Empereur (19’ pt Lovato); Faraoni, Veloso, Tameze (21’ st Barak), Dimarco; Danzi, Tupta (1’ st Zaccagni), Di Carmine (33’ st Ilic)
Subs: Destiny Udogie, Casale, Bocchetti, Stepinski, Berardi, Pandur
AS Roma (3-4-2-1): Mirante; Mancini, Cristante, Ibanez; Karsdorp (27’ st Santon), Diawara (44’ st Villar), Veretout, Spinazzola; Pedro, Pellegrini (34’ st Kluivert), Mkhitaryan
subs: Calafiori, Kumbulla, Antonucci, Dzeko, Perez, Boer, Pau Lopez
- Match report by asroma.com
|
4 - 1 
