AAP Soccer

Roma win in Serie A to move above Juventus

By AAP Newswire

Dec 14, 2021

Roma's Roger Ibanez — Roger Ibanez celebrates his goal for Roma in their Serie A home win over Spezia. -EPA

Roma have relieved a bit of pressure off Jose Mourinho by beating relegation-threatened Spezia 2-0 in Serie A.

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Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez scored either side of halftime at the Stadio Olimpico, as Roma moved into sixth spot ahead of Juventus on goal difference.

However, they are still eight points adrift of fourth-placed Napoli and the final Champions League qualifying spot.

Spezia are just two points above the bottom three.

Mourinho was already feeling the pressure at Roma after just two wins in their previous six Italian league matches, including a hefty 3-0 loss at home to Inter Milan last time out.

But his side got off to a perfect start when a corner was floated in from the right and Tammy Abraham nodded it on for Smalling to head Roma into the lead in the sixth minute.

Abraham almost doubled his side's lead in first half stoppage time but he headed onto the bar. It was the fifth time he has hit the woodwork this season.

Roma did get a second 11 minutes after the break and it came after another corner, which Ibanez headed in.

The only negative note for Roma was that teenage forward Felix Afena-Gyan was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press