After kicking off his Roma reign with a 1-0 victory over Bologna on the opening weekend of the SA campaign, Gian Piero Gasperini will have been eager for his team to take that momentum into their clash with Pisa, a side playing their first top-flight campaign in 34 years. However, it was the hosts who were the more dangerous of the two sides early on, as Henrik Meister first saw an attempt saved by Mile Svilar before shooting wide with the outside of his boot.
Both of those efforts came in the opening 10 minutes of the encounter, with Roma dominating possession for most of the half from that point onwards. Nevertheless, Pisa shot-stopper Adrian Semper was never troubled between the sticks as the Giallorossi struggled to stamp their authority on the game.
Matias Soule was arguably the busiest Roma player in the first half and, after curling an effort past the post at the start of the second period, he broke the deadlock before the hour mark. It was an intricate passing move from the visitors, and the Argentine applied the final touch.
He thought he had doubled his and his side’s tally shortly afterwards, but it was ruled out for a handball in the build-up.
That was a reprieve for Pisa, and Michael Aebischer’s effort from distance that wasn’t far away from the target was a warning sign for Roma that they could not afford to get complacent.
Aebischer did fire off another strike that went over the bar, but Roma were ultimately comfortable as they held on for all three points.
Six points from six at the start of the season - Gasperini could hardly have asked for a better start and will hope his team get even better as they learn more about his style of play and philosophy.
Pisa, meanwhile, can be happy with their display on the whole and will look to their home match against Udinese after the international break as a better opportunity to pick up points.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matias Soule (Roma)
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