Roma Clings to Napoli in Serie A Thrill Ride as Torino Stages Late Show

Roma Narrowly Edges Sassuolo to Keep Up with Napoli

Roma returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory at Sassuolo, while Torino staged a late comeback to beat Genoa 2-1 in the eighth round of Serie A.

Dybala, 31, scored his first league goal of the season and his 130th in Serie A after a celebratory move following a Sassuolo keeper's save on Bryan Cristante's shot (16).

"These are three important points," Dybala said. "We knew we could move up to the top before this match, but we won't get carried away. The season is still very long."

Under the coach who took charge in July, Roma tightened at the back, conceding just three goals in eight games — the fewest in the league — while scoring eight.

"I'm very pleased with how the team responded after two defeats this week," the coach said. "The priority now is to win again at home and reward our supporters. At home, we must be more clinical."

Roma rose to 18 points in second place, level on points with Napoli at the summit on goal difference, while Milan dropped to third after a 2-2 draw with Pisa in the round's opening match.

It's Roma's best eight-game points haul since 2013-14 and marks the club's return to the top flight for the first time in 12 years.

Roma had previously fallen to Inter 1-0 in round seven, and were then knocked out of Europa League group stage after a 2-1 defeat by Viktoria Plzeň.

In the second match, Torino overturned an early Genoa lead to win 2-1. Genoa led in the seventh minute, Torino equalised in the 63rd through an own goal by Genoa's Stefano Sabelli, and then clinched the victory in stoppage time from a corner.

With three wins, two draws and three losses, Torino climbed to 11 points in 11th place, while Genoa remained on three points from three draws at the bottom. Verona drew 2-2 with Cagliari elsewhere in the round.

For Verona: goals by Roberto Galliardini (23) and Gift Orban (59) were answered by Riadi Idrisi (77) and a late strike by Matìa Feltri (90+2).

Napoli Take Control of Serie A with 3-1 Win Over Inter

Napoli defeated Inter Milan 3-1 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to move to 18 points and take the league lead.

Napoli opened in the 33rd minute when Kevin De Bruyne converted a penalty, with a second strike in the 54th minute making it 2-0. Inter pulled one back through Hakan Çalhanoğlu from a penalty in the 59th, but André-Frank Anguissa restored the two-goal cushion in the 66th.

Napoli’s win pushed them to the summit while Inter remained on 15 points in third. The Neapolitans showcased a disciplined 4-1-4-1 setup as they managed the game with goalkeeper and defense providing solidity behind their evolving attack.

The match also highlighted Napoli’s improved balance this season and their ability to convert chances when the pressure is on.

Punchlines: If the season were a sniper rifle, today’s headlines would be: “Headshots all around—defense wins games, not just goals.” And if you thought the calendar was against calm football, relax—Serie A learned a new trick: winning ugly, the stylish way.