Sassuolo 0-1 Roma: Match report, reaction and key statistics

As it turned out, with Lazio losing elsewhere, the third spot was already in the bag - but Kostas Manolas's solo effort just before half-time in Emilia-Romagna ensured a victorious return for coach Eusebio Di Francesco at his old stomping ground.

Manolas's goal might eventually go down as an own goal - Gianluca Pegolo appearing to inadvertently deflect the shot into his own net, after the Greek defender went for goal from a tight angle - but the Giallorossi will worry little about that.

In truth the game had the feel of the end-of-season encounter that it was, although Roma deserved their win - with Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick also going close.

Team selection

Eusebio Di Francesco gave starts to both Lukasz Skorupski and Patrik Schick, as he dealt with injuries and suspensions to some of his key players.

Alessandro Florenzi captained the side, with Lorenzo Pellegrini in midfield against his old club alongside Kevin Strootman and Maxime Gonalons.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

12’ - Chance for Schick! The forward creates the opening for himself inside the box, but his low shot is dragged fractionally wide!

19’ - Chance! Perotti wriggles free down the left, but his inswinging cross is headed over by Dzeko from the edge of the six-yard box!

23' - Save from Pegolo to deny Dzeko from long range!

28' - Big save from Skorupski! Berardi plays in Politano inside the box, but the Polish goalkeeper parries away the first attempt from close range - and then watches on as the forward fires over the rebound!

39' - Dzeko fires high and wide from the edge of the box.

45' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Brilliant work from the defender - who wins the ball back inside the opposition area, beats his man and, from an acute angle, somehow slips a shot past Pegolo and in! The deadlock is broken! 0-1!

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

62' - Great save from Skorupski to deny Berardi... although the flag was also up for offside.

75' - Huge defensive intervention from Kolarov to prevent substitute Babacar getting a clear shot on goal! Vital tackle!

90' - Dzeko gets in behind the defence and runs clear on goal... but Pegolo rushes from his line and makes the save with his feet!

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“We’ve got the second-best defence in the league, but we need to improve in front of goal. We’re too far off the teams who finished ahead of us. We’ve created a lot of chances this season but we could have done better to finish them off.”

- Eusebio Di Francesco

What's next?

That's it for the 2017-18 campaign!

SASSUOLO 0-1 ROMA

Goalscorers: Pegolo o.g. (45')

Sassuolo: Pegolo; Lemos, Acerbi, Peluso; Adjapong, Missiroli, Magnanelli, Duncan, Rogerio; Berardi, Politano

Roma: Skorupski; Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; Strootman, Gonalons, Pellegrini; Schick, Dzeko, Perotti.