Roma maintain unbeaten Serie A run with comfortable Sassuolo victory

Roma extended their unbeaten start to the Serie A season with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo on Saturday, keeping them alongside Lazio as the only sides yet to lose in the competition.

Mario Hermoso put the hosts ahead in the 27th minute before Sassuolo defender Sebastian Walukiewicz turned the ball into his own net three minutes later. Rodrigo Mora completed the scoring in the 58th minute to secure a convincing victory.

The result moved Roma on to 27 points and into second place, temporarily one point behind leaders Lazio. Lazio face Napoli on Sunday. Sassuolo remain 17th with eight points.

Sassuolo threatened early when Nemanja Matic’s effort from outside the penalty area was saved by Roma goalkeeper Davis Vazquez in the third minute.

Roma responded with attempts from Sebastian Walukiewicz and Jay Idzes a minute later, and soon began to control the attacking play.

Sassuolo’s defence blocked Manu Kone’s effort in the seventh minute, while Leonardo Balerdi missed another opportunity five minutes later. Roma continued to apply pressure, with Rodrigo Mora seeing a corner dealt with in the 17th minute before Bryan Cristante’s header was cleared one minute later.

The breakthrough arrived when Hermoso found space inside the penalty area and fired a left-footed shot into the net.

Roma doubled their advantage soon afterwards as Walukiewicz inadvertently diverted the ball into his own goal.

The home side continued to search for a third before the interval. Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric saved Matias Soule’s shot in the 40th minute, while Cristante headed wide four minutes before the break. Roma went into half-time with a 2-0 lead.

Sassuolo made two substitutions at the start of the second half, but Roma remained the more threatening side. Donyell Malen missed two chances in quick succession in the 48th and 49th minutes, before Muric denied him again in the 55th minute.

Roma finally added a third three minutes later. Malen helped create the opening with a well-worked move before laying the ball off to Rodrigo Mora, who finished with his right foot from inside the box.

Sassuolo had an opportunity to respond when Ibrahim Suleiman missed in the 62nd minute. Both teams made several further changes during the second half.

Roma continued to push for more goals, with Muric saving Niccolo Pisilli’s effort in the 79th minute. Cristante and Balerdi then missed further chances as the hosts pressed forward.

Despite Roma’s late attempts to increase their lead, there was no further scoring and the match ended with the home side completing a 3-0 victory.