Roma 3-1 Sassuolo: Match report, reaction and key statistics

This time the venue was the Stadio Olimpico, and this time it was Gregoire Defrel that gave Eusebio di Francesco’s side the early advantage. But the Giallorossi rallied just as they had at the Mapei Stadium; Leandro Paredes and Mohamed Salah turning the game around before half-time, as substitute Edin Dzeko clinched matters with a second half strike.

It was perhaps Paredes’ goal that was the pick of the bunch – the Argentine adding another long-range strike to his collection with a blistering low drive – although Dzeko’s impact was also notable, as he grabbed the goal that decided the contest after clever work inside the box.

The result restores Roma to second in the Serie A standings, two points ahead of Napoli - and extends the lead over both Lazio and Inter Milan, who dropped points this weekend.

It was very much a game of two halves for Spalletti's side, who started slowly and then endured a back-and-forth first half that they were perhaps fortunate to end with the lead. The second half was a different matter, however, as the team controlled things - and clinched the result thanks to Dzeko's incision.

Defrel gave Sassuolo the lead, lashing home with precision after eight minutes having missed an easier opportunity just moments earlier. Roma could barely have any complaints about the setback, and indeed it was only a moment of magic from Paredes that ensured they equalised so quickly.

After that both sides had plenty of clear chances to grab the third goal - but it was Salah who would eventually get it on the stroke of half-time, as he followed in Stephan El Shaarawy's smothered shot before steering the rebound into the open net.

That made the half-time team-talk a bit easier, and in the second half Roma rediscovered their composure. After a disappointing week, the win consolidated the side's position heading into the international break.

Team selection

As he did against Palermo the weekend prior, coach Spalletti opted to start Stephan El Shaarawy and Mohamed Salah in attack - with Edin Dzeko on the bench to begin with.

Elsewhere Leandro Paredes came back into the midfield, with Wojciech Szczesny and Emerson Palmieri both also returning after missing out in midweek.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

3' - Chance for Salah! He pounces on a mistake to force Consigli into the save, then fires the rebound just wide!

3' - And then a chance for Sassuolo! Defrel really should score, but flashes over from a few yards out...

9' - Goal. Sassuolo lead. Defrel makes no mistake this time as he fires into the top corner. 0-1.

14' - Roma have the ball in the net as Salah taps home... but El Shaarawy was offside before making the final pass.

16' - GOAL! PAREDES! Another golazo from the midfielder! The ball is laid off to him and he finds the bottom corner with a powerful low drive from 25 yards! 1-1!

19' - BAR! SO CLOSE! Emerson hits a first-time shot with phenomenal power - but it cannons off the woodwork!

20' - And at the other end, Szczesny makes a save with his feet to deny Berardi. End-to-end stuff so far...

41' - CLOSE! Rudiger gets on the end of Strootman's cross from the left, but can't quite plant his header on target!

45' - A combination of Rudiger and Szczesny just about keep out Defrel. Then Politano forces another Woj save...

45' - GOAL! Roma lead! El Shaarawy's close-range shot is half-blocked by Consigli, but Salah gathers the lose ball and prods home from a few yards out! 2-1!

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

51' - NEARLY THREE! Roma counter quickly and Strootman feeds Salah ... whose shot is just fractionally wide!

61' - Almost an immediate impact! Dzeko heads just over from a corner!

66' - Close again! Another Paredes corner, another Dzeko attempt ... this time Consigli makes the important stop!

67' - GOAL! INSTANT IMPACT! DZEKO! A one-two on the edge of the box with Strootman, and the No. 9 shows his strength before finishing! 3-1!

70' - Roma starting to play now! Consigli makes a key stop to deny Dzeko his second. He's only been on 10 minutes!

90' - CLOSE! Emerson tries to emulate Paredes from range ... but he fires just wide of the far post!

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

In the first half they came out a little slower, and then they changed tactics at half-time. You can hear them in the locker room, yelling and screaming, and they came out completely changed the complexion of the game."Then the four defenders completely controlled it - no more runs from Sassuolo - and Dzeko made a nice play and put the game away. We controlled the game in the second half.”

- Jim Pallotta

"After the letdown against Lyon we needed to get the three points. We didn't make a good start and they performed very well in the first 15 or 20 minutes; in general they played the first half without fear. We've got quality, but we created few chances and yet we scored two goals despite finding it difficult. We showed our strength in the second half and we have to continue in this manner."

- Kevin Strootman

What's next?

The international break now gives some of the squad a brief respite from competitive fixtures, although 10 of the players are off around the globe to represent their countries.

The next game for the Giallorossi is against Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 1 April - before they host Lazio in the return leg of the Coppa Italia the following Tuesday.

ROMA 3-1 Sassuolo

Goalscorers: Paredes (16'), Salah (45'), Dzeko (67'); Defrel (8')

Roma: Szczesny; Jesus, Fazio, Manolas; Emerson, Strootman, Paredes (De Rossi), Peres (Dzeko); Nainggolan, Salah (Perotti), El Shaarawy.

Sassuolo: Consigli; Letschert, Acerbi, Peluso, Dell'Orco; Pellegrini, Missiroli, Duncan; Berardi, Defrel, Politano.