Gasperini's Serie A title message after 3-0 win: 'Roma are in the race'

Gian Piero Gasperini believes Roma are firmly in contention in the Serie A title race after a convincing 3-0 win over Sassuolo.

Looking for a lift after their defeat to Manchester United, Roma comfortably beat Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Roma secured the result through goals from Mario Hermoso and Rodrigo Mora, and also benefited from an own goal by Sebastian Walukiewicz.

With a dominant, high-pressing display, Roma extended their unbeaten home run in the league to 18 matches. It is the longest unbeaten home run under a single head coach since the 22-match streak (19W 3D) achieved under Luciano Spalletti between January 2016 and February 2017.

The capital club also became only the fourth team in the last 65 years to pass the 30-goal mark in their first 11 matches of a Serie A season. Juventus (33), Napoli (32) and Lazio (31) had previously achieved the feat in the 2017-18 season. Roma have already scored 31 league goals this season.

The result lifted Roma into second place, behind leaders Lazio, having played a game more.

Speaking after the match, Gasperini said his side can now be considered title contenders:

"We are going through an incredible run of matches; we have only lost to Real Madrid and Manchester United. Alongside that, we have put together winning runs and drawn with Como and Napoli. Those two defeats hurt because they came in the final minutes and we were ahead as well. But they came after very strong performances against top-level opponents.

Without doubt, we have improved a lot in attack this season. We now score a lot of goals in different ways and through different players. Even in the matches we lost, we created a lot of goals. In fact, I don't think this win was a reaction to a defeat; it is simply further confirmation that this team is on the right path.

It is a real pleasure to play football this season. We must not fool ourselves or set ourselves up for disappointment, but there is no harm in dreaming on the path we have taken. I don't know the limit of what we can achieve. Inter are the team in the strongest position for the title. Like everyone else, we are in the race and we have a chance."

Mora hit the post before Hermoso found the net in the 27th minute to put Roma ahead. Walukiewicz then deflected Malen's effort into his own goal with an awkward touch. In the second half, a fine finish from Mora sealed a 3-0 win for Roma.