Soccer-Battling Roma recover to earn 2-1 win at 10-man Sassuolo


(Reuters) -AS Roma came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win at 10-man Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday as defender Rasmus Kristensen scored late in the second half minutes after Paulo Dybala had levelled with a penalty for Jose Mourinho's side.

The hosts took a surprise lead in the 25th minute through Matheus Henrique before Dybala equalised for Roma from the spot in the 76th minute and Kristensen sealed the win eight minutes from time with a deflected shot inside the far post.

Roma, unbeaten in their last four league outings, moved up to fifth on 24 points from 14 games, nine points adrift of leaders Juventus and level with champions Napoli in fourth before they host second-placed Inter Milan later on Sunday.

"Today I can finally say that the team showed the same attitude throughout the match. We started well and finished well," Mourinho told a press conference.

"I want to check the numbers but I have the clear feeling that we dominated the match against an excellent team.

"We are waiting for the result of Napoli v Inter to see if we will finish the day in the Champions League zone. I always want Inter to win - today I have one more reason."

Sassuolo went down to 10 men just after the hour mark as the referee initially opted to book midfielder Danier Boloca for a challenge on Leandro Paredes but then changed the yellow card to red after the VAR sent him to consult the pitchside monitor.

Roma controlled possession but did not take early chances through Dybala and Sassuolo opened the scoring when Domenico Berardi teed up Henrique to score from close range.

The visitors, backed by a large travelling contingent in Emilia-Romagna, were close to levelling before the break when Romelu Lukaku crossed to Dybala but alert Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli leapt high to deny the Argentine.

The unmarked Lukaku then had a chance after the break but his weak shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Consigli.

Mourinho decided to bolster Roma's forward options after Sassuolo were left with 10 men, introducing attacking midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini and striker Stephen El Shaarawy.

Dybala, who made his 50th appearance in all competitions for Roma, equalised with a low spot kick inside the right-hand post after a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Kristensen, who sealed the win six minutes later.

Sassuolo, who were unbeaten in six of their last seven league games against Roma -- winning two and drawing four -- are in 15th spot with 15 points.

(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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