Defeating Sassuolo, AS Roma Reaches Champions League Zone

AS Roma player Rasmus Kristensen celebrated the goal that decisive the victory over Sassuolo. (Twitter @OfficialASRoma)

JAKARTA - AS Roma won an important 2-1 victory over Sassuolo in the Italian Serie A match at the Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore, Monday, December 4 in the morning WIB. Roma also managed to penetrate the Champions League zone by ranking fourth in the standings.

Roma did start poorly this season. Their steps stalled so they were stuck in the middle board.

However, coach Jose Mourinho was able to improve the team's performance and Roma continued to improve their position.

The consistency shown by the Giallorossi since losing 1-0 to Inter Milan makes them able to move up to a better position. After being forced to surrender by Inter, they were unbeaten for the next four matches. Including when they won over Sassuolo

The victory made Roma move up to fourth with 24 points. The same as Napoli who lost 3-0 to Inter. But Roma were ahead on goal difference so they could penetrate the Champions League zone.

In that match, Roma fell behind when Matheus Henrique scored a goal in the 25th minute. He welcomed the assist from Domenico Berardi. The 1-0 score lasted until the first half was over.

Entering the second half, Roma still struggled to penetrate Sassuolo's strong defense. Luckily, the hosts then lost a player.

Midfielder Daniel Boloca received a red card for violating Leandro Paredes in the 63rd minute.

Referee Matteo Marcenaro briefly reviewed the incident of the violation via VAR. As a result, Marcenaro considered the violations to be dangerous, thus canceling the yellow card and immediately giving a red card to Boloca.

Sassuolo also experienced changes because he had to play with 10 people. Meanwhile, Roma took full advantage of the number of players.

However, the visitors still had to be tough before finally scoring a goal that equalized from the penalty spot in the 76th minute.

The penalty was given after Martin Erlic brought down Rasmus Kristensen in the forbidden box. The referee again reviewed the incident via VAR before deciding to give Roma a penalty.

Striker Paulo Dybala almost failed to complete the execution. The reason is, goalkeeper Andrea Consigli was able to read the direction of the ball. However, the ball kept sliding fast into the Sassuolo goal.

Furthermore, Kristensen became the determinant of Roma's victory. Receiving assists from Dybala, he managed to break into the home goal in the 82nd minute.

This is the last goal created in that match. Roma also closed the match with a 2-1 win. Mourinho also showed his satisfaction with the result.

"Finally I watched the team show the same character throughout the match. We started well and ended the match well too," said Mourinho with Roma's victory.