Another sparkle of Giacinti is worth the top of the standings in Serie A

Valentina Giacinti's week. After putting her signature on the first historic success in the Champions League group stage last Thursday, the Giallorossa number 9 scored another three-point goal on sunday, laying out a decent Como side at the Tre Fontane in the seventh of the season. Her fifth Serie A goal earned Roma's fourth consecutive victory and, in light of Inter's draw at Sassuolo's home, the lead in the standings for the Giallorosse co-habiting with Fiorentina at 18 points (a record at this point in the season).

The tour de force between Europe and Serie A forced Spugna into a significant turnover, making room for Lind, Kollmats, Landstrom, Cinotti, and Lazaro, deploying a 4-3-3 with Minami at right-back. Roma, however, has long had a clear identity that goes beyond the performers or the system of play, and there was clear evidence of this again on sunday. With De La Fuente's Como displaying decent defensive solidity, the Giallorosse still created plenty of opportunities, taking advantage of Giugliano's leadership in the midfield (captain of the day and among the best on the field) and the work on the outsides by Serturini and Glionna. The number 18 missed the most important opportunity during the first 45 minutes. In the 10th minute, she received a lost ball from former Roma player Lipman and shot high when she was alone in front of Beretta. The Como goalkeeper, making her debut in Serie A, was the best of her lot (8 saves overall) and in the 54th minute, after Serturini had hit the post from distance, she repelled Lazaro's shot on the rebound with an outstanding reflex. She also got her hands on Giacinti's right-footed shot from outside (who had entered for Lazaro in the 56th minute) sending it on the crossbar. Still, She was unable to do anything about the number 9's winning touch in the 72nd minute with Glionna's low cross from the right.

In the shouts of joy from the former Milan, there is all the awareness of a Roma that is in no hurry to win games, knows how to do it, and does it in whatever way is necessary. In the end, it is another success, and the focus shifts back to the Champions League. The last happy note is the return of Ciccotti after more than eight months away, to the joy of herself, her teammates, and the Tre Fontane crowd.