Tue03192024

Last update02:06:32 PM

Today Live:

Roma bounce back by thrashing Chievo

Roma warmed up for their Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich by getting back to winning ways in Serie A with a 3-0 win at home to Chievo.

Goals from Mattia Destro, Adem Ljajic and a Francesco Totti penalty saw Roma bounce straight back from their controversial 3-2 defeat to Juventus a fortnight ago to keep up the pressure on the Bianconeri at the top of the table.

Perhaps equally important was the confidence boost victory gave Rudi Garcia's men ahead of their tough encounter with Bundesliga leaders Bayern on Tuesday night.

The Germans hammered Werder Bremen 6-0 in the Bundesliga earlier on Saturday.

Garcia resisted the temptation to rotate his side and fielded 38-year-old forward Totti from the start, opting not to rest the Italian ahead of Tuesday's clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Totti was involved a lot in the early action as Roma wasted no time attacking the visitors' defence, taking the lead within five minutes when Destro headed in from a corner.

Totti and Ljajic were combining well and it was the Roma captain who set up the latter to double the hosts' lead in the 25th minute.

It was then the turn of Totti, who became the Champions League's oldest goalscorer when he netted against Manchester City, to find the net yet again from the penalty spot.

Dario Dainelli was accused of fouling Daniele De Rossi inside the area and Totti stepped up to beat Francesco Bardi from the spot.

Totti went close to making it four early in the second half, with Bardi making a good block at his near post, before Garcia decided the time was right to start resting players.

Totti was first to leave the field, with Miralem Pjanic taken off soon after, but the substitutions did not affect Roma, who continued to look the more dangerous side.

Destro nearly beat Bardi before Ashley Cole was beaten to the rebound, depriving him of a good chance to score for the Giallorossi.