Centurion Dybala stars for Roma, Inter beat Cremonese
Roma - Monza 3-0
In their first ever Serie A meeting against Roma, little was expected of newbies Monza, with the opening 45 minutes playing out as many expected. Already having endeared himself to the Giallorossi faithful after his acrobatic assist in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Juventus, Paulo Dybala opened his account for the season in style, tucking home a thunderous left-footed strike after a dizzying solo run.
It was Tammy Abraham’s original flick-on that allowed Dybala to break through on the halfway line, and the England international was involved in Roma’s second of the evening. Racing in behind the Monza back-line, Abraham’s goal-bound strike was parried by goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, before falling into the path of an alert Dybala, who slid in to add his second goal within 15 minutes.
With just two goals to their name so far this season, Monza’s chances of mounting a comeback appeared slim already, but any doubts over a Roma win were put to bed shortly after the restart. Allowed to roam freely in the visitors’ penalty area, Roger Ibañez comfortably nodded home Lorenzo Pellegrini’s pin-point corner-kick, giving Mourinho’s side an unassailable advantage.
The three points as good as secured, José Mourinho turned to his bench late on, handing Andrea Belotti his Roma debut. With what was his first touch in a Giallorossi shirt, it looked as if the 28-year-old was going to find the net, but a sharp stop at close-range from Di Gregorio denied Belotti a dream start. Ultimately, it wouldn’t matter, as the victory still ensured Roma went top of Serie A, with Mourinho’s men continuing to prove their worth in the league this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Paulo Dybala (Roma)
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Inter - Cremonese 3-1
After losing 3-1 to Lazio in their previous fixture, Inter were looking to bounce back against a Cremonese side who are competing in their first Serie A campaign since 1995/96. Although Federico Dimarco saw his dipping free-kick whistle just wide in the opening exchanges, Inter only had to wait 12 minutes for Joaquín Correa to open the scoring. Inter loanee Ionuț Radu got down low to deny Edin Džeko, but Correa quickly pounced to tap home the rebound.
Correa’s second goal of the season did little to deter the courageous visitors, who were attempting to press high against their title-chasing opponents. However, Cremonese’s commendable approach could not prevent Inter from doubling their advantage before the break courtesy of a sublime Nicolò Barella strike. The Italy international found the net with a sweetly-timed volley after meeting Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s lofted pass, ensuring the hosts went into HT in complete control.
After losing their opening three matches, Cremonese started the second half in a determined fashion as they looked to claw their way back into the contest, although they were finding it tough to break through an Inter defence aiming to clinch a third consecutive home clean sheet in SA. While they remained resolute at one end of the pitch, in the final third Inter were at their clinical best even without the injured Romelu Lukaku, as his usual strike partner Lautaro Martínez showed great strength to race through one on one with Radu, before sliding the ball into the bottom corner.
Although David Okereke produced a superb effort to grab a consolation goal late on, Cremonese’s 26-year wait for a SA point continues, while Inter will turn their attention to the Milan derby after recording their sixth consecutive home league victory.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan)