Roma 2-0 Fiorentina: Paulo Dybala brace secures victory for the Giallorossi

Roma beat 10-man Fiorentina 2-0, Lazio won at Sassuolo by the same score for its first victory of the new year, and Atalanta destroyed Salernitana 8-2.

Paulo Dybala scored both goals in Rome – both on assists from Tammy Abraham. Fiorentina had to play most of the match with 10 men after Dodô was sent off in the 24th minute following a second yellow card.

Roma eventually made the numerical superiority count five minutes before the break when Abraham chested down a ball over the top for Dybala’s impressive volley.

Paulo Dybala twice combined with Tammy Abraham as Roma defeated Fiorentina on Sunday

And the two combined again eight minutes from time when Abraham raced into the right side of the area before rolling across for Dybala to slot home.

Dybala has now netted seven goals in 12 league appearances since joining the club from Juventus on a free transfer this summer. 

The 29-year-old was also part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad in Qatar, recovering from a hamstring injury to make cameo appearances in both the semi-final and final of the tournament.

Brazilian full-back Dodo saw red for the visitors after picking up a second yellow card after just 24 minutes

Summer signing Paulo Dybala added to his tally for the club in his third game since returning from the World Cup

The result sees Jose Mourinho’s side now just four points away from second-placed AC Milan in Serie A

The win means Jose Mourinho’s side are now five games unbeaten in Serie A, having last tasted defeat in a 1-0 loss to rivals Lazio at the beginning of November.

Giallorossi are currently seventh in the league, but the logjam behind runaway leaders Napoli means Roma are just four points behind AC Milan in second place as the halfway point of the season approaches.

Mourinho led the club to their first European silverware in his inaugural campaign, defeating Feyenoord to clinch the UEFA Conference League in May of 2022.