Roma 3-0 Sassuolo: Gasperini’s side pile pressure on Aquilani with clinical display

AS Roma returned to winning ways in Serie A with a commanding 3-0 victory over struggling Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, moving to second in the table and one point behind leaders Lazio while intensifying the scrutiny on Alberto Aquilani.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, still smarting from a midweek Champions League reverse at Manchester United in which they surrendered a 2-0 lead, were clinical and controlled against a Sassuolo team already mired in a worrying run of results. The visitors, managed by former Roma midfielder Aquilani and sitting near the relegation zone with the league’s worst defensive record, offered little resistance once Roma found their rhythm.

The breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute. Mario Hermoso drove forward, exchanged passes with Donyell Malen and then finished emphatically into the roof of the net with his left foot after the initial effort was blocked. Just three minutes later, Roma doubled their advantage. Malen’s shot was deflected, and Sebastian Walukiewicz turned the ball into his own net to make it 2-0.

Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric made several important saves to prevent further damage before the break, but the second half brought more of the same. Roma continued to dominate possession (around 65%) and created clear chances. In the 58th minute, Malen combined neatly with Rodrigo Mora on the edge of the box, and the Portuguese midfielder rifled a precise diagonal shot into the bottom corner to seal a 3-0 win.

The statistics underlined the gulf in quality. Roma registered 28 shots to Sassuolo’s six and an expected goals figure of approximately 3.5 to 0.3. For Aquilani, it was a fifth consecutive defeat (and sixth in seven matches), leaving his side on just eight points and only one above the drop zone. Post-match, the coach took responsibility, admitting the “light has gone out,” that his team showed little personality or quality with the ball, and that changes are needed.

For Roma, the result maintains their unbeaten league start and reinforces their title credentials under Gasperini. With injuries still affecting the squad, the performance offered a timely reminder of their attacking threat ahead of the international break. Sassuolo, meanwhile, head into the pause with growing questions over Aquilani’s future as the pressure continues to mount.