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Soccer

SERIE A

Memo Ochoa’s Salernitana secure creditable draw away to Roma

The Mexican keeper was back between the sticks as I Granata travelled to the Italian capital for the season opener.

Paul Reidy
Paul Reidypaulreidy67
Update:
Salernitana's Italian midfielder #87 Antonio Candreva celebrates with Salernitana's Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match Roma vs Salernitana on August 20, 2023 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
ALBERTO PIZZOLIAFP

The new 2023-24 Serie A season got underway over the weekend with Guillermo Ochoa’s Salernitana handed a tricky away test as they travelled to the capital city to face AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Rome's supporters cheer before the Italian Serie A football match Roma vs Salernitana
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Rome's supporters cheer before the Italian Serie A football match Roma vs Salernitana ALBERTO PIZZOLIAFP

Things appeared to start disastrously when it looked that Andrea Belotti had fired the home side ahead in the seventh minute only to have VAR overrule as the striker was marginally offside.

Roma's Italian forward #11 Andrea Belotti reacts after scoring a second goal during the Italian Serie A football match Roma vs Salernitana on August 20, 2023 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)
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Roma's Italian forward #11 Andrea Belotti reacts after scoring a second goal during the Italian Serie A football match Roma vs Salernitana on August 20, 2023 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)ALBERTO PIZZOLIAFP

There was no such fortune ten minutes later when Belotti did fire the giallorossi ahead as the ball squirmed beneath Ochoa. There was joy ahead for the visitors however as Candreva fired in the equaliser on the 35th minute with an unstoppable right footed effort.

Candreva strikes again

The veteran struck again shortly after the break to silence the Olimpico as he rifled home a perfectly angled left foot shot.

Salernitana's Antonio Candreva
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Salernitana's Antonio CandrevaANGELO CARCONIEFE

Just when it appeared that Salernitana were set to deliver an opening day shock, Andrea Belotti was on target late on to secure a point for Roma as he nodded home from a corner with Ochoa rooted to the spot.