Roma kept up their Serie A title chase with a narrow 1–0 away victory over Sassuolo in Matchweek 8, closing the gap at the top of the table.

Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk started the match on the bench and came on in the 50th minute to replace Justin Kluivert. By that time, Roma were already in front thanks to an early strike from Paulo Dybala in the 16th minute — the Argentine’s clinical finish proving decisive.

Despite several half-chances for Dovbyk after his introduction, the visitors held firm to preserve their lead and secure another important three points.

The win lifts Roma level on 18 points with Serie A leaders Napoli, who remain ahead only on goal difference.

2025-26, Italy - Serie A

Sassuolo - AS Roma 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Dybala, 16 (0:1)

Sassuolo: Muric A.; Doig; Walukiewicz; Romagna (Cande F., 39); Matic; Idzes; Thorstvedt (Vranckx, 60); Kone I. (Lauriente A., 81); Berardi D. (Volpato C., 60); Fadera (Cheddira, 81); Pinamonti
Substitution: Cande F. (from 39); Volpato C. (from 60); Vranckx (from 60); Cheddira (from 81); Lauriente A. (from 81)
Bench: Turati; Zacchi; Paz Y.; Coulibaly W.; Odenthal; Lipani; Iannoni; Moro L.; Pierini
Yellow Cards: Thorstvedt 34; Doig 38; Volpato C. 77

AS Roma: Svilar; Ndicka; Tsimikas (Hermoso, 46); Çelik; Mancini G.; Wesley (Rensch, 87); Cristante (Pellegrini Lo., 66); El Aynaoui; Koné M.; Bailey (Dovbyk, 50); Dybala (Soule M., 66)
Substitution: Hermoso (from 46); Dovbyk (from 50); Pellegrini Lo. (from 66); Soule M. (from 66); Rensch (from 87)
Bench: Vasquez D.; Gollini; Ziolkowski; Traore A-r; Ghilardi; Pisilli; Baldanzi; El Shaarawy; Ferguson E.
Yellow Cards: Mancini G. 24; Hermoso 47