Dybala Scores Winner Against Sassuolo as Roma Rise to Second in Serie A

Dybala Fires Roma Past Sassuolo to Move Up to Second in Serie A

Paulo Dybala’s first-half strike proved decisive as Roma earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sassuolo at the MAPEI Stadium, climbing to second place in Serie A.

Sassuolo entered the match unbeaten in three league games and began brightly, creating early chances. Kristian Thorstvedt should have opened the scoring but sent his close-range header wide, before Alieu Fadera forced Mile Svilar into a fine save moments later.

Despite the hosts’ promising start, it was Roma who struck first. In the 16th minute, Dybala reacted quickest after Arijanet Muric had parried Bryan Cristante’s effort, hooking the loose ball into the net to give the visitors the lead.

Sassuolo continued to press and once again spurned a golden opportunity when Thorstvedt, unmarked in the box, headed wide from a dangerous position just before the half-hour mark. At the other end, Dybala came close to adding a second with a free-kick that hit the side netting, and Roma held firm to take their one-goal advantage into the break.

The pattern continued after the restart, with Sassuolo wasteful in front of goal. Andrea Pinamonti dragged a shot wide from inside the area, while Roma nearly doubled their lead through substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose close-range strike rattled the woodwork midway through the second half.

As fatigue set in for Fabio Grosso’s men, Roma looked increasingly likely to finish the contest. Zeki Çelik’s powerful header narrowly cleared the bar, and Wesley missed a glorious chance to seal the win with a wayward effort late on.

Although Roma’s finishing woes persisted — the Giallorossi have scored just eight goals in eight league games — Gian Piero Gasperini’s side did enough to return to winning ways after two consecutive defeats in all competitions.

The victory lifts Roma to second place in the Serie A standings, level on points with leaders Napoli but behind on goal difference. Sassuolo, meanwhile, remain 12th and will look to bounce back when they visit Cagliari next weekend.