Roma strengthened their Serie A title challenge with a 2-0 victory over Sassuolo on Saturday, moving to within three points of league leaders Inter Milan. Goals from Manu Kone and Matias Soule in the closing stages secured the win for the capital club, despite playing with a heavily depleted squad due to injuries and players participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. The result places Roma firmly in contention as the season progresses.
The match, held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, saw a resilient Sassuolo side frustrate Roma for much of the game. However, coach Gian Piero Gasperini reported a noticeable shift in performance during the second half, ultimately leading to the breakthrough goals.
Roma Close Gap on Serie A Leaders with Soule’s Impact
Manu Kone opened the scoring in the 77th minute, powerfully heading home a precise cross from Matias Soule. This ignited the atmosphere at the Olimpico, and just two minutes later, Soule doubled the advantage. The Argentine forward calmly slotted home a delicate flick from Stephan El Shaarawy, extending Roma’s lead and solidifying their control of the match.
Soule expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance after the win, stating the second half saw a marked improvement in spirit and intensity. He humorously pledged to buy El Shaarawy a bottle of wine as a thank you for the assist, highlighting the positive team dynamic.
Squad Depth Tested
Roma navigated the match with a noticeably thin squad, fielding five academy players on the bench and having seven first-team players unavailable. According to Gasperini, his team demonstrated “extraordinary commitment and character” despite the adversity. This win showcases Roma’s ability to perform even when dealing with significant squad limitations.
Sassuolo, currently 12th in the league and 10 points clear of the relegation zone, proved to be a tough opponent, particularly in the first half. They held their own against a Roma side desperate for points, but ultimately succumbed to the pressure in the closing stages.
The result leaves Roma level on 39 points with AC Milan, who are yet to play their weekend fixture against Fiorentina. Both Milan and Inter have a game in hand due to their participation in the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, adding another layer of complexity to the Italian football title race.
While pleased with the victory, Gasperini emphasized the need for continued quality and good play in tight situations. He noted a more intense and skillful display in the second half was the key to breaking down Sassuolo’s resistance.
Elsewhere in Serie A, Como’s Champions League aspirations were briefly stalled with a 1-1 draw against a determined Bologna side that played with 10 men. This result highlights the competitive nature of the league and the challenges faced by teams vying for European qualification.
Looking ahead, Inter face a potentially tricky encounter with Napoli at the San Siro, while AC Milan travel to Como. The outcomes of these matches will significantly impact the Serie A standings and the title race. The next few weeks promise to be crucial as teams battle for position and strive to maintain momentum.
The league is set for a thrilling continuation, with Roma demonstrating their ability to challenge for the top spot despite ongoing squad issues. The performance of Inter and AC Milan in their upcoming fixtures will be closely monitored as they aim to solidify their positions at the summit of Italian soccer.
