Dybala and Pellegrini see Roma improvement after feeling the pressure

Paulo Dybala admits he was getting ‘pressure’ to score his first Serie A goal of the season, while Lorenzo Pellegrini sees Roma improvements in a 1-0 win at Sassuolo.

The Giallorossi had lost three of their last four competitive games between Serie A and the Champions League, but emerged with a 1-0 victory from the Mapei Stadium.

The only goal of the game was scored by Dybala, on the rebound from a save on Bryan Cristante, to put them joint top of the table alongside Napoli.

Dybala and Pellegrini lead Roma response

“We are relaxed, we knew before the game with the other results that we could take top spot, but there is a very long way to go,” Dybala told DAZN Italia.

“These are three important points, also for us to make up for recent setbacks, and now we have to turn our focus to Wednesday.”

Although he had found the net in the Europa League, this was La Joya’s first Serie A goal of the season, and it allowed him to debut a special celebration with the ball under his jersey, for pregnant wife Oriana.

“Strikers live for goals, obviously, so we would love to score in every game. Unfortunately, there are negative moments during the season, but the important thing is that the team wins, not who scores.

“I had been waiting to make this celebration, as my wife was putting pressure on me to get on with it!”

Pellegrini came off the bench and almost scored within 120 seconds, as his dinked finish bounced off the upright.

The former captain was asked if Roma really can aim to stay top of the table and if a Scudetto challenge is their objective this season.

“The objective is to keep improving, and I thought today was a little better when attacking than previous games, we could’ve scored a few more goals,” replied Pellegrini.

“We were coming off defeats and really eager to prove ourselves on the pitch. We are giving our all.”

Curiously, all four defeats between Serie A and the Europa League have been at the Stadio Olimpico, but even in away fixtures, Roma always have a strong presence of cheering fans.

“We are fortunate that our fans always travel with us with passion, I don’t think they realise how much they give to us on the field with their presence. This is also a special match for me, as I called Sassuolo home for a while and want to salute the Sassuolo supporters too, as they remained in my heart.”