Roma have secured a fifth-consecutive top-three finish in Serie A following a narrow 1-0 win over Sassuolo in the final match of the season.
It was a Kostas Manolas shot, which picked up a telling deflection off the Neroverdi’s Gianluca Pegolo, that was the difference between the two sides in a match that was largely played for pride.
The away side started on the front foot, applying pressure to Sassuolo’s defence early with four corners in the opening six minutes, Kevin Strootman heading towards goal for the game’s opening shot before Patrik Schick hit the woodwork on 11 minutes.
Though Roma was unable to take advantage and the Neroverdi grew into the match. With half-time beckoning at 0-0, Manolas made a run in the box and produced a shot from the tightest of angles which deflected favourably off Pegolo in goal to give the Giallorossi a 1-0 advantage.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s men came out in the second half of the season looking satisfied to sit on the narrow lead. While they still controlled the majority of possession, it was Sassuolo that continued to push for an equaliser, producing more second-half shots than their opponents.
Matteo Politano delivered eight shots of his own however they would be in vein, Roma holding on to finish their season with a victory and clinch third position in Serie A.
