Roma extend winning run to nine matches with victory in Turin

Roma arrived in Turin in strong form and started as expected. 

Match highlight

Donyell Malen should have put them ahead early when a cross completely wrong-footed Lucas Perri, but the Dutch forward headed wide.

Matias Soule and Bryan Cristante also sent efforts narrowly past the post, while Malen had a goal ruled out for offside.

Torino gradually grew into the first half. Eray Comert fired over, then Rolando Mandragora, who had opened the scoring in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Fiorentina, forced Mile Svilar into a save.

Roma soon regained control. Paulo Dybala headed narrowly wide before Torino made a few defensive mistakes that invited further pressure.

The breakthrough arrived before the interval. Malen was in the right place after his first effort was blocked and finished the rebound. It was the ninth time in nine Serie A appearances that he had opened the scoring.

Roma remained on top after the break. Nahuel Molina sent an early effort narrowly wide, but Malen’s substitution before the hour gave Torino some encouragement.

Giovanni Simeone tested Svilar more than once, and the Roma goalkeeper also had to get down well to keep out a Mandragora free-kick. Torino stayed in the match because Roma had only a one-goal lead.

Roma still carried a threat at the other end. Perri was forced into action after Molina blocked a fierce shot from the edge of the area. The Torino goalkeeper then saved a close-range header from Gianluca Mancini as Roma pushed for a second goal.

They finally got it in stoppage time. Niccolo Pisilli reacted quickest when the ball broke loose in the box and finished from close range to make it 2-0.

The win sends Roma back to the top of the early Serie A table. They are now closing in on the club record of 11 consecutive league victories.

Torino have now lost four of their last five matches, with one win in that run. Their defensive concerns are growing too: Il Toro have not kept a clean sheet in nine league games.