SPAL fell to their first defeat in nine games

MILAN: Roma’s Czech forward Patrik Schick (L) heads the ball and scores a goal during the Italian Serie A football match betweel SPAL and AS Roma at the Paolo Mazza Stadium in Ferrara yesterday. — AFP

MILAN: Roma warmed up for next week's Champions League clash with Liverpool by easing past SPAL 3-0 yesterday to keep their push for elite European football next season on track. Eusebio Di Francesco's side have 67 points from 34 games-three ahead of city rivals Lazio who can pull level again when they host Sampdoria today. "The performance was excellent," said coach Eusebio Di Francesco. "The team's attitude three days before such an important match with Liverpool is an important step in the right direction, I'm really happy with this performance today, I got important answers. "This is a side that has great goals in its head, a team that looks at the present and not the future, and it's a moment of great satisfaction for me." He added: "The only downside was that in the first half we could have scored more.

"Of course against Liverpool this precision and solidity we must have from the beginning." A Francesco Vicari own goal gave the Romans a first-half lead in Ferrara with Radja Nainggolan and Patrik Schick adding two more in an eight-minute spell in the second half.

SPAL fell to their first defeat in nine games leaving their top-flight survival increasingly in doubt as they sit just one point above the relegation zone. Di Francesco rotated his side ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final at Anfield with Argentinian left-back Jonathan Silva getting his first start since his January signing.

Roma's top scorer Edin Dzeko stayed on the bench alongside captain Daniele De Rossi with the visitors missing three chances in the first half-Stephan El Shaarawy misfiring twice and Lorenzo Pellegrini also missing a third opportunity.

But Pellegrini contributed to the opener, crossing a low ball into the area as Vicari turned into his own net when trying to anticipate Kevin Strootman in a scramble in front of goal. Nainggolan missed a chance for a second with the Belgian sending the ball into the side netting just before the break.

SCHICK BREAKTHROUGH

But seven minutes into the second half Nainggolan sent a diagonal half-volley into the bottom corner, with Pellegrini setting up Schick to head in the third on the hour mark. It was the first goal for Czech forward Schick since he joined Roma on loan from Sampdoria last August.

"Finally, I've been waiting for too long," said Schick whose season had been hampered by injuries. "It was tough today and very hot, so it was important to get the win. "Now there's Liverpool, we must prepare for that game and have the same attitude we did against Barcelona."

Roma's Champions League rivals Liverpool meanwhile were held 2-2 in Premier League action yesterday. "They're not very solid in defence, but Liverpool are the kind of team where if they score six and concede three, they're happy," said Di Francesco. "Liverpool are a side of great quality. The first leg is away from home and that can be an advantage, but also makes it very difficult to prepare tactically.

"I know the starting eleven, it's all planned, but I won't tell you. I can say that Edin Dzeko will play." Champions Juventus and second-placed Napoli go head-to-head today in a clash which could decide the Serie A title.

Napoli have reduced the deficit to four points on Juventus with five games to play. But history does not favour Maurizio Sarri's side who have always lost in the Allianz Stadium. - AFP