Roma maintain top spot with another victory

Roma have returned as joint leaders on the Serie A table after a 2-1 win over Parma at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday evening.

The Gialorossi secured the maximum points that secure their place as joint Serie A leaders thanks to Mario Hermoso and Artem Dovbyk’s goals.

The Giallorossi needed a victory to keep pace with Napoli, who had won the previous night in first place, and they got the job done.

Roma suffered another injury blow within 7 minutes of action as Ferguson limped and got replaced by Leon Bailey, changing the attacking approach of the hosts.

Wesley got the first shot on target when he tested Zion Suzuki from distance, while Adrian Bernabé’s free kick sailed over the bar.

Parma had a chance to go ahead as Mario Hermoso failed to clear the Mateo Pellegrino cross, and Ordonez’s shot was saved by Mile Svilar.

Bailey scuffed his finish horribly wide, but he was offside when he was one-on-one with Suzuki.

Roma thought they had taken the lead 2 minutes before the end of the first half, but it was chalked off for offside.  Soulé knocked down a corner for a half-volley into the near bottom corner from 12 yards.

The goal couldn’t stand following a VAR On-Field Review that showed Zeki Celik offside and influencing play, as he shielded Suzuki’s view.

Dybala would have scored a wonderful goal with an acrobatic header on the Gianluca Mancini cross, but Suzuki palmed it out from under the crossbar in the first half stoppages.

Dybala again called Suzuki into action after the restart, while Manu Kone and Bryan Cristante failed to score from promising positions.

Roma were eventually rewarded with a goal when a free Mario Hermoso headed in a Dybala corner towards the far post.

Parma looked for an equalizer as Svilar flew to fingertip the Sorensen half-volley out from under the crossbar.

Roma then doubled their lead moments later as Cristante’s shot was charged down after combining with Artem Dovbyk, but the Ukrainian reacted quickly on the rebound to control with his back to goal and turn in.

Parma eventually reduced the deficit when Adrian Benedyczak knocked down a set play for Alessandro Circati, who slid in from six yards.