Dybala ends drought as Roma move second in Serie A
MILAN, Italy (AFP) — Paulo Dybala scored his first Serie A goal of the season to give Roma a 1-0 victory at Sassuolo on Sunday to lift them level on points with leaders Napoli.
After 16 minutes Dybala set up Bryan Cristante for a shot. When Arijanet Muric saved, Dybala pounced to put the rebound into the empty net.
It was the Argentinian’s 130th Serie A goal but his first from open play since last December.
“These are three important points,” said Dybala, whose team are hoping to deliver a first Scudetto for Roma since 2001.
“We knew we could move into first place before this match, but we’re not getting carried away. The championship is still very long.”
Under Gian Piero Gasperini, who took over in July, Roma have become stingy in defence but are struggling to score.
In eight games, they have conceded three goals — two fewer than any other team — while scoring only eight.
With 18 points, Roma sit second because their goal difference is two worse than Napoli, who beat fourth-placed Inter Milan 3-1 on Saturday.
However, if two teams are level on points at the top of the table at the end of the season, the title will be decided in a play-off.
All four of Roma’s defeats this season have come at home, including a loss to Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday and against Inter Milan in Serie A last Saturday.
“I’m very satisfied because the team reacted well after two defeats this week,” said Gasperini.
“The priority now is to win again at home. We have to reward our fans. At home, we have to be more effective.”
AC Milan, held to a 2-2 draw by Pisa on Friday at the San Siro, dropped to third, a point behind.
Elsewhere, Fiorentina remained winless despite fighting back to rescue a 2-2 home draw with Bologna.
Goals from Santiago Castro and Nicolo Cambiaghi put Bologna on track to climb to fourth place and close within two points of the leaders.
But Albert Gudmundsson pulled one back from the penalty spot for La Viola, before Bologna’s Emil Holm was sent off for a second booking.
Fiorentina took advantage to rescue a draw as Moise Kean netted another spot-kick in the third minute of added time.
Stefano Pioli’s Fiorentina still have just four points from their opening eight league games and are languishing in 18th place.
Later on Sunday, Juventus, who have not won since September 13, visit Lazio in Rome.
