Soule reveals Roma goal secret, Shomurodov targeting top 4 | OneFootball

Matias Soulé reveals a secret behind the Roma goal that allowed them to beat Verona, while Eldor Shomurodov insists they ‘want to qualify for the Champions League.’

The Giallorossi struck early at the Stadio Olimpico, as within four minutes Shomurodov had bundled over the line from a smart Soulé assist.

There were precious few other scoring opportunities, as the 1-0 result remained until the final whistle, extending the unbeaten run to 12 wins and five stalemates.

Roma assist was meant to be a finish

ROME, ITALY – APRIL 19: Eldor Shomurodov of AS Roma scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Verona at Stadio Olimpico on April 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“I was trying to score a goal really, but I’m lucky you were there!” joked Soulé to Shomurodov on Sky Sport Italia.

“We can only focus on ourselves and our own results, then see what happens. Verona are tough to play against, as they have these dangerous long balls. We did what we needed to do, which was to get the three points.”

Paulo Dybala’s season is over after knee surgery, but he insists on sitting on the bench along with his teammates, cheering them on and acting as a makeshift assistant manager to Claudio Ranieri.

“He is a leader both on and off the field, he’s even staying with us in the training retreat. He will always be here with us to watch the games, so he’s an added bonus,” concluded Soulé.

Shomurodov had been something of a surprise in the starting XI rather than Artem Dovbyk, but repaid the faith shown by Ranieri with the winning goal.

“We want to qualify for the Champions League, so we need to win every game. The coach said it would be a difficult match and he was right, it was tough, but the fans created a wonderful atmosphere to help us,” Shomurodov told Sky Sport Italia.

Roma have probably the toughest run-in of any team, as their final five fixtures are against Inter, Fiorentina, Atalanta, Milan and Torino.