FLORENCE, Italy (BN24) — Roma surged to the top of the Serie A standings on Sunday after coming from behind to defeat Fiorentina 2-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, extending their winning streak to three games and intensifying the early-season title race.
After conceding a thunderous opening goal to Fiorentina’s Moise Kean in the 14th minute, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma responded with two quickfire goals from Matias Soule and Bryan Cristante before halftime to seal all three points.
The win lifted Roma to 15 points from six matches, three clear of defending champions AC Milan and rivals Inter Milan, who both secured convincing victories on Saturday. However, their position at the summit may be temporary with Napoli and Milan still to play later on Sunday.
Kean, scoring his first goal of the campaign, blasted Fiorentina into the lead with a rocket from outside the box, a goal that energized the home crowd and briefly put Roma on the back foot.
But the visitors quickly found their rhythm. Soule equalized midway through the half, pouncing on a loose ball in the area after a scrappy passage of play. Minutes later, Cristante rose highest to meet a corner, guiding a powerful header past the goalkeeper to complete the turnaround by the 34th minute.
Fiorentina nearly drew level before the break when Kean, brimming with confidence, rattled the woodwork with another fierce effort from distance in the 38th minute. The hosts continued to press in the second half and came agonizingly close to an equalizer when Roberto Piccoli’s volley crashed off the crossbar in the 74th minute.
Despite their attacking intent, Fiorentina’s poor run of form continued. Still without a win this season, the Viola remain on three points and hover just above the relegation zone after six rounds.
The result marks a significant statement of intent from Roma, whose growing momentum under Gasperini has them emerging as early contenders in what promises to be a tight title race.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s late fixtures, with Napoli hosting struggling Genoa and AC Milan traveling to face Juventus in Turin. Both teams have the opportunity to join Roma at the top on points, though goal difference could keep the Giallorossi in first place heading into the next round.
Juventus, who began the weekend in first place on goal difference following a dramatic win over Napoli, sit four points behind Roma in fifth and will look to reignite their title challenge in the heavyweight clash with Milan.
Roma’s victory in Florence sets the tone for what could be one of the most competitive Serie A seasons in recent years, with multiple sides jostling for early supremacy.
