Claudio Ranieri suffers first defeat as Roma manager at the hands of SPAL

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  • Claudio Ranieri

    Interim boss Claudio Ranieri suffered a first defeat since returning to Serie A as Roma were beaten 2-1 at SPAL.

    The former Leicester and Fulham manager was brought in following the departure of Eusebio Di Francesco, securing victory in his opening game against Empoli.

    Ranieri, though, saw his side fall behind at the Stadio Paolo Mazza after 22 minutes through a towering header from Mohamed Fares.

    Roma, looking to keep the pressure up on the top four, equalised in the 53rd minute through a penalty from substitute Diego Perotti.

    SPAL were back in front when Andrea Petagna converted from the spot on the hour having got up after being fouled by Juan Jesus to slot past Robin Olsen.

    Edin Dzeko saw a late effort saved by Emiliano Viviano at point-blank range as SPAL held on to deliver a first Serie A home win since September 17.

    Sixth-placed Torino failed to take advantage of Roma’s slip up as they suffered a surprise 3-2 home defeat by relegation batters Bologna, both sides finishing with 10 men.

    Granata went ahead through a deflected own goal from Erick Pulgar in the sixth minute.

    Substitute Andrea Poli equalised with a header at the far post in the 29th minute not long after being sent on to replace injured captain Blerim Dzemaili.

    Pulgar made amends when he put Bologna ahead from a 34th-minute penalty after handball against Soualiho Meite was given following a review by the Video Assistant Referee.

    Riccardo Orsolini scored a third goal for the visitors from a swift counter attack in the 65th minute before Bologna saw defender Lyanco sent off for a second caution in the 89th minute.

    There was still time for Armando Izzo to headed in a deep free-kick, which Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski fumbled into the net.

    Torino also finished a man down after Ola Aina clattered into Rodrigo Palacio during stoppage time and was cautioned, before then receiving a swift second yellow card for dissent to the referee.

    After the hard-earned victory over his former club, Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side climbed above Empoli and out of the bottom three after back-to-back league wins.

    In Saturday’s earlier kick-off, Sampdoria ran out 5-3 winners at Sassuolo to keep alive their hopes of pushing for a top-six finish.

    Fabio Quagliarella

    Fabio Quagliarella

    On-loan Roma forward Gregoire Defrel put the visitors in front with a close-range volley in the 15th minute.

    Fabio Quagliarella took his tally to 21 league goals for the season to double Sampdoria’s lead in the 36th minute when he drilled his shot into the top-right corner.

    Sassuolo quickly pulled a goal back following a close-range finish from Jeremie Boga, but Blucerchiati then swiftly restored their cushion in the 39th minute through Karol Linetty.

    It was 4-1 less than a minute into the second half as Nicola Murru’s cross was swept in at the back post by Denis Praet.

    The home side scored again in the 63rd minute through a deflected long-range effort from Alfred Duncan. Manolo Gabbiadini then grabbed a fifth for Sampdoria with an angled drive in the 72nd minute

    Khouma Babacar scored another consolation for the hosts with a curling effort during added time as Sampdoria remain ninth in the table, but just two points off sixth-placed Torino.

    Copy provided by Press Association Sport

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