Serie A, Week 10: Roma beat Chievo to restore advantage

Round 10 is over, the votes have been tallied and the results are in: Roma are still number one. That’s right, it’s a perfect 10 for the giallorossi. However, the midweek Serie A matches featured much more excitement than the rather dull 1-0 played out in Rome. There were 27 goals scored this time around, and an impressive five red cards handed out. Four penalties were handed out, although only three were scored, and there should’ve been at least one more trip to the spot -- although surely many fans would like to point out when, exactly, their club should have been awarded a free shot at goal.

Once again, Inter failed to win on the road, making that three consecutive draws away from the San Siro -- and in each of those times, Inter have given up the lead. This week, Ricky Alvarez put the visitors ahead before 20 minutes were up, but it took less than ten minutes for Germán Denis to equalize. Inter remain fourth, but even with Verona and just a point above Fiorentina.

Unsurprisingly Chievo struggled to respond to going a goal down; deflated after working so hard to keep the ball out at their own end for 67 minutes. Roma remained in the ascendency until the final whistle, though couldn’t add to the opening goal before the final whistle sounded. They restore their five-point advantage at the top of the table, while the Flying Donkeys stay worryingly rooted to the bottom.

AS Roma: De Sanctis; Dodô (Balzaretti 65’), Castán, Benatia, Torosidis; Strootman, De Rossi, Pjanić (Bradley 81’); Marquinho (Florenzi 59’), Borriello, Ljajić.

AS Roma injuries and suspensions

Out: Mattia Destro, Francesco Totti (injured); Maicon (suspended). In doubt: Gervinho.

The goal appeared to briefly rally Fiorentina, and not long afterwards the lively Cuadrado hit a 30-yard daisy cutter which beat Reina all ends up but came crashing back off the post.

After the break, it was business as usual with Fiorentina dominating possession but seemingly unable to fashion any meaningful chances. Rossi was, as usual, the main outlet, firing across goal from a tight angle and later unleashing a curling effort that forced Reina to claw the ball wide.

Fiorentina injuries and suspensions

Napoli injuries and suspensions