AS Roma vs Verona: Jose Mourinho quickly forgotten as Lukaku ensures De Rossi era begins with a bang

The hosts didn't have to wait 20 minutes score their first goal of the De Rossi tenure.

 Stephan El Shaarawy – who played four seasons alongside De Rossi at the Olimpico – broke down the left and bamboozled Jackson Tchatchoua to square it back to Romelu Lukaku, who swept in past a scrambling Lorenzo Montipò.

Despite Verona winning the reverse fixture in August, the chances of securing two victories against Roma in a Serie A season for the first time since 1968/69 seemed unlikely.

 However, the visitors received a lifeline just after the hour mark when the referee deemed Diego Llorente's arm position unnatural. Yet, Milan Đurić missed the penalty, firing well over.

Nonetheless, the momentum had shifted, and Roma faced heightened nerves when Michael Folorunsho scored with a remarkable swerving shot, catching Rui Patrício off guard. Verona pressed for an equalizer in the final stages, but Roma players, echoing their new manager's 19-year dedication to the club, fought tenaciously to secure the three points. 

Despite being the interim manager until the season's end, De Rossi is likely considering extending the now-13 match unbeaten home run, aiming for a permanent appointment. 

With just two points separating them from the top four, Roma looks poised for an upward climb, while Verona remains in the bottom three after an 11th consecutive away match without victory.