Roma Dominates Monza to Extend Unbeaten Streak and Strengthen Champions League Hopes

Following a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Porto in the decisive second leg of the Europa League Knockout Phase Playoffs last week, Roma secured their place in the Round of 16 against Athletic Club Bilbao next month. Claudio Ranieri's team was in need of a straightforward match—one where fans wouldn’t have to hold their breath, fearing a fluke goal, a missed penalty, or some unforeseen mishap—and that’s exactly what they got.

With another packed crowd at the Stadio Olimpico for a rare Monday night fixture, Ranieri made significant changes to the starting lineup after a grueling stretch of nine matches in about 30 days. As Roma prepares for their upcoming Europa League clash with Athletic Club, Ranieri opted to rest key players like Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes, giving starts to Matías Soulé, Tommaso Baldanzi, and Bryan Cristante, while welcoming Mats Hummels back from a brief stint on the bench.

Given the stark difference in quality and form between the two teams, Ranieri's choices hardly mattered. On one hand, Roma boasted a nine-match unbeaten streak and had not lost at home in 2025; on the other, Monza sat at the bottom of the league with only two wins since late October.

The odds were heavily in Roma's favor, and the capital club didn’t leave anything to chance. Instead of waiting for Monza to reveal their weaknesses, Roma took control early. A stunning goal from Alexis Saelemaekers in the 10th minute effectively sealed the match within the first ten minutes.

Despite the impressive start, Roma fans have learned to be cautious—one-goal leads can quickly vanish in the Eternal City. Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long for more excitement, as Eldor Shomurodov extended the lead in the 32nd minute with a well-placed header after a brilliant solo effort from Matías Soulé, who skillfully maneuvered into the box.

In the second half, Roma added two more goals, including a fantastic glancing header from Bryan Cristante in the 88th minute, sealing a dominant performance from the team in maroon.

Final Thoughts
This victory extended Roma's unbeaten streak in Serie A to 10 matches, with six wins in their last eight. The club has also not lost at the Olimpico in 2025, maintaining an impressive 13-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Thanks to favorable results earlier in the weekend, Roma is now just seven points away from the European qualifying spots for next season. With a relatively soft upcoming schedule against teams like Como, Empoli, Cagliari, and Lecce, Roma has a solid chance to close that gap and re-enter the Champions League race.

While it’s not guaranteed, one thing is clear: Claudio Ranieri is working wonders.