Roma Vs Sassuolo 2-1: Mourinho Records 1000th Game With Dramatic Win

Jose Mourinho celebrates his 1000th game with a win (Twitter @officialasroma)

JAKARTA - Roma beat Sassuolo 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night to maintain their perfect start to the 2021-2022 season.

Second-half substitute Stephan El Shaarawy scored in stoppage time to give his side all three points in a tense clash in the Capital.

For the first time in his trophy-laden managerial career, Jose Mourinho has managed to win all five of his opening games at a new club, thanks to El Shaarawy's goal this weekend.

Triplice fischio: la @OfficialASRoma vince contro il @SassuoloUS e conquista i 3️⃣ punti ✅⚡🔚

#RomaSassuolo #SerieATIM 💎 #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/CkNCY1OkL8

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) September 12, 2021

Roma drew eight minutes before the break through Bryan Cristante, who slotted the ball past Andrea Consigli after a superb free kick from Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

In fact, it was Sassuolo who opened the scoring midway through the first half. However, VAR annulled the visitors' brief celebration as Giacomo Raspadori was in an offside position.

Il Neroverdi refuses to give up. Serbia international Filip Djuricic pounced on Domenico Berardi's low cross to score just before the hour mark. Score 1-1.

In this second half, Sassuolo performed better and Rui Patricio had to work hard to save the net from shots from Berardi and Jeremy Boga. Meanwhile, Hamed Junior Traore's effort hit the post.

As is often the case in football, Alessio Dionisi's men were brutally punished for wasted chances in the final moments of the game. El Shaarawy scored with power and precision as it bounced off the post into the net in the 91st minute. That's not the end of the drama.

Second-half substitute Gianluca Scammaca dropped a perfect long ball and fired a rocket into the top right corner. Like in the first half, VAR came to Roma's rescue.

During the post-match interview, Mourinho admitted this win means a lot to mark his 1000th managerial game.

"During the week I was a liar even with myself, I wanted to convince myself that it wasn't a special game, but it was special. 1,000 games is a lot and I don't want to lose, I'm afraid to lose," he said, as quoted by TUTTOmercatoWEB.

🟡 𝗝𝗠 𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟬 ✅ 🔴#ASRoma #RomaSassuolo pic.twitter.com/9j3DhnQRhl

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) September 12, 2021

“It was an amazing feeling, it could have ended even 6-6 or they could have won if it weren't for Rui Patricio's action. For those who are neutral, it is a great game.

“Today I am not 58 years old but 12 years old. I have apologized to Dionisi, I congratulate you. It was a fantastic game," said Mourinho describing the celebration he did after El Shaarawy scored. The Portuguese coach ran behind the goal like a child.