Clemente agrees to coach Libya

Gervinho fires maiden goal as Roma stay on top

FLORENCE: Arsenal reject Gervinho scored his maiden goal for AS Roma as they beat Sampdoria 2-0 and moved two points clear of stumbling Napoli to stay top of Italy’s Serie A on Wednesday.

Roma started their fifth match of the campaign top thanks to a onegoal difference over Rafa Benitez’s title challengers Napoli.

And as Napoli failed miserably at the San Paolo to put league new boys Sassuolo to the sword – days after a 7-0 mauling by Inter Milan – Roma took full advantage to pull clear at the top.

Roma now have 15 points after five wins in as many games while Napoli sit two points adrift after a 1-1 draw with Sassuolo.

“I’m happy with the win but what interests me more is seeing Roma succeed at the end of the season, not now,” said Roma coach Rudi Garcia.

“It’s far too early to be predicting. But I’m happy with the team, we have a fantastic group of players and this is crucial for our future hopes.”

Champions Juventus moved up to third with a fortuitous 2-1 win away to feisty Chievo while Lazio outclassed second-from-bottom Catania 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium to sit sixth.

Injury-hit AC Milan, without the suspended Mario Balotelli, faced the banana skin of a trip away to Bologna and Massimiliano Allegri’s men slipped badly before recovering in the final two minutes.

Two weeks after securing a late draw away to Torino, Robinho reduced arrears in the 89th minute before Ignazio Abate levelled in injury time to secure the visitors a lucky 3-3 draw.

Thankful for the draw, Allegri was also angry at the match officials.

“After we scored our third the match stopped 90 seconds earlier than it was supposed to. And during that time we could have grabbed a fourth,” said the coach.

Garcia was sent to the stands early in the second half for dissent following a heated discussion with the referee.

But the Frenchman, who has already won plenty of fans among Italy’s discerning football pundits, was soon given reason for cheer.

Roma took the lead in stunning fashion when Mehdi Benatia feinted his way into the area and beat goalkeeper Angelo Da Costa with a shot he unleashed with his left foot despite being tripped and falling to the ground.

The points were virtually assured when Gervinho latched on to Francesco Totti’s delivery to beat Da Costa with a low, angled shot moments before the final whistle.

Sampdoria woes deepened at the death when Antonio Barilla saw red after being cautioned a second time.

Blermi Dzemaili gave the hosts a 14th minute lead with a first-time drive from 25 metres after a poor clearance which beat Gianluca Pegolo in the Sassuolo net.

If the goalkeeper thought that was the beginning of the onslaught, he was mistaken.

Napoli’s early hopes of launching a rout were extinguished six minuts later when Simone Zaza stunned Pepe Reina in the Napoli net with a wicked snap shot that went past the ‘keeper’s shoulder and into the roof of the net.

Napoli battled, but lacked the spark and punch required to get past a team which, after their weekend humiliation, looked determined to make amends.

Chievo stunned Juventus in the 28th minute, but the “Flying Donkeys” were fully deserving of their opener after Gennaro Sardo pounced on a poor clearance by Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

When Cyril Thereau showed Sardo where he wanted the ball, the midfielder obliged and the French striker beat Buffon with a well-struck firsttimer.

Juve were back on level terms two minutes after half-time thanks to Fabio Quagliarella, and despite labouring throughout sealed the points thanks to Alessandro Bernardini turning Paul Pogba’s cross towards the far post into his own net. — AFP TRIPOLI: Experienced Spanish coach Javier Clemente has agreed in principle to coach the Libyan national side, the president of the Libyan federation (FLF) said on Wednesday.

Anouar al-Tachani said the 63year-old – who coached Spain from 1992-98 – will sign a two-year contract in October.

“We have reached agreement in principle with Javier Clemente to coach the national team,” he said.

“Both parties will sign a two-year contract in October in Tripoli.”

Al-Tachani would not reveal how muchtheywouldbepayingClemente, who according to Libyan press agency Lana arrived in Tripoli on Monday to discuss the job.

Clemente, who will replace Abdelhafidh al-Rabich, who stepped down after Libya were eliminated from the 2014 World Cup, has also coached other national sides in Serbia (2006-2007) and Cameroon (20102011). — AFP