Romans march on
Dzeko scores again as Spalletti’s side reclaim second spot
Milan: Edin Dzeko took his Serie A scoring lead to eight goals in nine games as AS Roma outclassed Palermo 4-1 to reclaim second spot and move to within two points of leaders Juventus.
Roma had dropped to third after AC Milan stunned champions Juventus 1-0 on Saturday when teenaged midfielder Manuel Locatelli beat Gianluigi Buffon with a second-half scorcher.
But Luciano Spalletti’s men had no problem joining fellow scudetto hopefuls in capitalising on Juve’s rare slip, the Giallorossi wowing fans with a well-oiled attacking performance on Sunday that kept them firmly in the title chase.
“You have to be prepared to seize the day, climb on board and secure the right result as we did tonight,” said Spalletti.
Juventus remain top but their second defeat of the campaign, after a 2-1 reverse to Inter Milan last month, has reduced their advantage to two points on Roma and AC Milan.
Fellow title hopefuls Napoli are back in the hunt after a cagey 2-1 win at basement side Crotone on Sunday moved the 2016 runners-up to fourth, at only four points adrift.
Roma broke the deadlock at the Olympic Stadium on 31 minutes, Mohamed Salah bursting through to meet Dzeko’s flick and nutmeg Josip Posavec at the near post.
Spalletti had replaced Jesus with Alessandro Florenzi at half-time, and on 68 minutes Dzeko pounced on the Italy midfielder’s delivery to beat Posavec with an unstoppable daisycutter.
Palermo reduced arrears when Robin Quaison beat Wojciech Szczesny with a deflected 25-yard drive 10 minutes from the end.
But a Roma counter two minutes later saw Stephan El Shaarawy claim his third goal in two games when he collected Salah’s unselfish pass to beat Posavec on 82 minutes.
If Juventus fail in their attempt to secure a record sixth consecutive title later this season, Milan’ first win over the Old Lady in 10 attempts will be regarded as a turning point.
Milan’s fortunes contrasted with those of city rivals Inter, whose shock 2-1 defeat at Atalanta was the first time they had conceded three consecutive league defeats since 2013.
Coach Frank De Boer has reportedly been summoned by Inter’s Chinese owners Suning, but ahead of tomorrow’s outing against Torino the Dutchman says it’s business as usual.