Florenzi earns Roma last-gasp win
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E-mail Xinhua, March 26, 2014
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Super-sub Alessandro Florenzi left it dangerously late to propel Roma to a 2-1 victory over Torino on Tuesday night. |
Alessandro Florenzi came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner as Roma beat Torino 2-1 in the Italian Serie A at home on Tuesday.
Florenzi, who replaced Nainggolan with seven minutes to play, released the leathal blow with an excellent left-footed finish which left Torino goalkeeper Daniele Padelli rooted the spot.
The midfielder said it had been his dream to score a goal in front of the Roma faithful supporters.
"I feel so emotional, first of all because I had always dreamed of scoring a goal under the Curva Sud and in two years had never managed it!" said Florenzi.
"I am happy with the result and also for our other goalscorer. People talk so much about Roma needing a striker, but I think we have him in the squad and his name is Mattia Destro," he said.
"I stay back after training to practice my shooting and maybe some fans get annoyed at me for missing, but I hope I repaid them tonight. This goal left me breathless," he said.
Destro had given the hosts the lead in the first half before Torino's Ciro Immobile equalized with an outstanding volley seven minutes after the break.
With the crucial win, Rudi Garcia's men claimed all three points and extended their unbeaten record in home league matches this season to 15.
Roma are now nine points clear of third-placed Napoli, who lost 1-0 at home to Fiorentina on Sunday.
Roma started well and nearly scored in the 28th minute when captain Francesco Totti, making his 700th appearance in a Roma shirt, spurned a golden chance, shooting at Padelli from 12 yards.
Roma's first-half dominance was converted into goal in the 41st minute as Destro met a Gervinho pass to score his third goal in as many games.
Torino responded just after the interval as Immobile's outstanding season continued, with his left-footed volley from 12 yards giving Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis no chance.
Immobile has now scored 17 Serie A goals this season.
Torino went close to claiming the lead twice, as Immobile shot just over before Alessio Cerci fired wide.
One minute into stoppage time, Florenzi collected Gervinho's slide-rule pass and turned the ball coolly past Padelli to spare Roma's blushes.
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