Before the game began, the supporters at Stadio Olimpico were ecstatic. A lot of the pregame conversation focused on Paulo Dybala, a fan favorite, and his intention to stay in the Eternal City for the next campaign. That optimism, though, didn't appear to carry over to the field, as Roma spent a large portion of the first half playing second best.

With his aggressive running, Jacopo Fazzini gave the Giallorossi a lot of trouble. He had one of his shots deflected just wide, and from the next corner, an unmarked Emmanuel Gyasi headed wide. Minutes after Mile Svilar had parried a Fazzini shot, Roma were starting to live dangerously when Lorenzo Colombo inexplicably headed into the crossbar with the goal open. The hosts needed a response after being booed off at half time, and they almost found an equaliser within 10 minutes of the restart.