Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala scored goals as Roma defeated Empoli 7-0 to earn their first victory in Serie A this year.
The Giallorossi, who started the game in the relegation zone, eventually won by a big margin at home, matching the highest margin of victory in a Serie A game played in the present.
Lukaku, who joined the team this summer on loan from Chelsea, scored his first goal for the team with a cool finish.
As a result, Jose Mourinho’s team moved up to 12th place from 18th.
First-half goals from a Dybala penalty, Renato Sanches’ header, and Alberto Grassi’s own goal gave the home team a comfortable lead.
After the half, Argentina’s Dybala added a fine fourth goal and hit the crossbar with a free kick before Bryan Cristante scored a long-range goal.
After that, Lukaku added the sixth, and Gianluca Mancini scored with a goal to seal the victory.
With only one point from their first three games with their form being hampered by injuries to players like Chris Smalling, Houssem Aouar, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Tammy Abraham, manager Jose Mourinho and his team had come under fire.
Internationals Lukaku from Belgium and Sanches from Portugal each scored their first goal for the Europa League champions from last season. Sanches was acquired from Paris St-Germain in August.
Sardar Azmoun, a striker from Iran, replaced Lukaku late in the game and made his club debut as well.
The outcome equals the eight prior 7-0 victories clubs have achieved in Serie A since the league’s introduction of three points for a victory in 1994.
One of these occurred in November 2006 at the Stadio Olimpico when Roma crushed Catania under the direction of current Italy manager Luciano Spalletti.
Since Juventus thrashed Inter Milan 9-1 at home in April 1961, no Italian team has won by more than seven goals, although Roma was guilty for an equally lopsided thrashing when they humiliated Napoli 8-0 two years earlier.
Roma also defeated Cremonese 9-0 at home in October 1929, but Torino’s 10-0 victory over Alessandria in May 1948 still holds the top-flight record.
Mourinho was in charge when Real Madrid defeated Almeria 8-1 at home in May 2011. Prior to the game, he had emphasized Roma’s potential but lamented their absences.
Romelu Lukaku had a clash with The Sun and threatened legal action on the tabloid after they published a photo of him smoking. The British publication claimed he had been smoking an e-cigarette while walking around Milan, which infuriated and amused the Belgian international at the same time.
“You guys are messing with the wrong one,” wrote Lukaku on his Instagram Stories.
“Keep ****ing playing… My people will contact you very soon. You guys are lame as **** for posting a picture that ain’t me and posting the wrong info.”
The offending tweet was later deleted by The Sun, but the website’s report remained online. The Sun also issued an apology for the “error.”
He is currently out on loan to Chelsea, and there are credible rumors that Inter will extend their arrangement for another year before making an offer to buy him outright starting in the summer of 2024.
The offending tweet was later deleted by The Sun, but the website’s report remained online. The Sun also issued an apology for the “error.”
He is currently out on loan to Chelsea, and there are credible rumors that Inter will extend their arrangement for another year before making an offer to buy him outright starting in the summer of 2024.
Due to a muscular issue, the 29-year-old has been sidelined for a few months and won’t be ready for this weekend’s Serie A match against Fiorentina either.
Lukaku was originally purchased on loan by Inter for €10 million after being sold to Chelsea for €113 million last summer.
