A late header from Bryan Cristante saw Roma hold ten-man Sassuolo to a 2-2 draw in a highly entertaining clash at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore.
The Giallorossi opened the scoring just before half time thanks to Tammy Abraham before a Chris Smalling own goal saw their opponents level things up. Sassuolo went 2-1 up thanks to Hamed Traore but Roma managed to get their equalizer through Cristante’s header.
Jose Mourinho may not be too pleased with the point as it complicates things for his side in their quest to reach Top 4.
Starting XIs: Pellegrini Back, Sassuolo Make Six Changes
Alessio Dionisi made six changes from the team that got eliminated from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Juventus earlier this week. Andrea Consigli was back between the sticks, replacing Gianluca Pegolo while Mert Muldur and Vlad Chiriches started in place of Ruan Tressoldi and Kaan Ayhan respectively.
Davide Frattesi and Matheus Henrique replaced Abdou Harroui and Giacomo Raspadori respectively while Gregoire Defrel started upfront, replacing Gianluca Scamacca.
Roma made three changes to the XI that lost to Inter in the Coppa Italia. Marash Kumbulla replaced Roger Ibanez at the heart of defense while captain Lorenzo Pellegrini was back in the XI in place of Jordan Veretout. Felix Afena-Gyan partnered Abraham up front, replacing the suspended Nicolo Zaniolo.
Abraham Penalty Gives Roma the Lead
Sassuolo started well with their talisman Domenico Berardi testing Rui Patricio early on. Moments later, Hamed Traore looked to have given the Neroverdi the lead but referee Guida ruled it out after claiming that the Ivorian handled the ball.
The match looked very fluent as the first half progressed and Roma managed to win a penalty in the dying minutes following a handball from Chiriches. Abraham converted the ensuing spot-kick to open the scoring for the Giallorossi.
Cristante Header Sees Roma Grab a Point
Sassuolo could not have asked for a better start as they leveled just two minutes the second half. Traore took a shot at goal which took a deflection off Chris Smalling and then went into the back of the net after Patricio was unable to hold on to it.
The Neroverdi were pumped up after the goal and kept showing more attacking intent. In the 73rd minute, Berardi’s brilliant left-footed shot found Traore who beat Patricio to but Sassuolo ahead.
Things went a little tough for the hosts as they were reduced to ten minutes after their skipper Ferrari was sent off following a foul on Abraham. Pellegrini shot on goal from the subsequent free-kick but it was hit straight towards Consigli who had little trouble holding on to the ball.
Roma continued to attack as the match reached its final few minutes and eventually found their equalizer thanks to Cristante. The Giallorossi tried to get a winner but were unable to do so and the spoils were shared.
What’s Next for Sassuolo and Roma
Roma host Verona next weekend while Sassuolo travel to Milan next weekend to face defending champions Inter.
MATCH SCORECARD
February 13, 2022 – Serie A 2021-2022 Matchday 25
SASSUOLO – ROMA 2-2
SCORERS: 45+1′ Abraham (R), 47′ Rui Patricio (R, o.g.), 73′ Traore (S), 94′ Cristante (R)
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SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Consigli; Muldur, Chiriches, Ferrari, Kyrokopoulos; Frattesi (80′ Frattesi), M. Lopez, Berardi (84′ Ceide); Henrique (67′ Harroui), Traore, Defrel (80′ Tressoldi (Pegolo, Magnanelli, Rogerio, Oddei, Ciervo, Peluso, Satalino, Samele) Coach: Dionisi |
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ROMA (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Mancini (77′ Veretout), Smalling, Kumbulla; Karsdorp (83′ Carles Perez), Oliveira (69′ Cristante), Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan, Vina (77′ Maitland-Niles); Afena-Gyan (69′ Shomurodov), Abraham (Boer, Fuzato, Diawara, Bove, Darboe, Zalewski Keramitsis) Coach: Mourinho |
REFEREE: Mr. Guida from Pompei
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Mancini (R), Berardi (S), Lopez (S), Kumbulla (R) ; Red Card: Ferrari (S); Added Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 6′