Inter narrowly defeat Sassuolo while Roma exile Pellegrini secures derby triumph
Inter Milan capitalised on their encouraging Champions League debut by overcoming Sassuolo 2-1 on Sunday, thus steering their Serie A campaign back towards stability.
Federico Dimarco and Carlos Augusto netted for Inter in an otherwise lacklustre clash at the San Siro, allowing Cristian Chivus side to edge into the upper echelons of the standings with six points after four outings.
Inter had shone in their midweek Champions League triumph over Ajax, yet a late concession against arch-rivals Juventus the previous weekend had distanced the 20-time Italian title holders from the frontrunners in the league.
"Securing the victory was crucial after suffering two losses in Serie A," Dimarco remarked.
"We needed to claim those points, as we are Inter, and we managed it."
The Italy international Dimarco, renowned for his forward surges from the backline, calmly finished his opening goal of the term in the 14th minute, courtesy of Petar Sucics precise pass following an expansive Inter build-up.
Inter sought additional strikes, but custodian Arijanet Muric thwarted the Nerazzurri, including fine stops in the second period from Pio Espositos acrobatic effort and a Carlos Augusto attempt, thus preserving Sassuolos hopes.
The Brazilians Carlos Augusto effort, which took a deflection with nine minutes left, clinched the contest, though Walid Cheddira swiftly responded for Sassuolo.
Inter substitute Davide Frattesis rebound finish was disallowed for a marginal offside decision, and Sassuolo failed to equalise during the six added minutes.
This Sundays achievement contrasted sharply with Inters midweek display in Amsterdam, yet sufficed for Chivu to record merely his fifth Serie A managerial success in a brief tenure.
Pellegrinis derby triumph
Lorenzo Pellegrini propelled Roma to success in the clash against Lazio, with the erstwhile skipper emerging from the sidelines to deliver the sole strike in a 1-0 success amid fervent atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Rome native Pellegrini had been stripped of the armband at his lifelong club and listed for transfer during the off-season, but proved pivotal versus Lazio in his seasonal bow, elevating Roma to fourth in Serie A with nine points.
Prior to the start, supporters displayed a banner stating: "Welcome back, captain" while chanting for Pellegrini, who had undergone procedure on his right thigh injury in May.
"The future remains uncertain as life is full of surprises... I nearly departed and was unsure of my recovery post-injury, yet I returned for the derby and netted the decider," Pellegrini shared with DAZN.
His 38th-minute effort marked Pellegrinis fourth in a Rome derby, vindicating the trust from incoming manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who fielded the 29-year-old in one of Romas marquee fixtures.
Gasperini appeared to have sidelined the 36-capped Italy midfielder, but the day before suggested a role in the derby lineup, emphasising that Pellegrini was on notice unless he "transforms into an athlete and begins sprinting".
Post-victory, he reiterated the need for Pellegrini to enhance his fitness ahead of Romas Europa League opener against Nice on Wednesday.
Lazio linger on three points from four league games yet might have salvaged a draw from the characteristically fraught derby, despite the dismissal of Reda Belahyane via direct red.
Matteo Guendouzi compounded woes for the 13th-placed Biancocelesti by earning expulsion for protesting to referees after the whistle.
Trailing Roma by a point in fifth, Atalanta reintegrated Ademola Lookman late in a 3-0 triumph over Torino, indicating reconciliation following the Nigerian attackers unsuccessful bid for an Inter switch in summer.