MILAN: High-flying Sassuolo scored three goals in 13 minutes to complete an extraordinary comeback from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at Bologna in Serie A on Sunday as AS Roma also staged a 5-2 comeback against promoted Benevento.

The victory saw Sassuolo, who have never finished higher than sixth, move second in Serie A, two points below early leaders AC Milan.

Roberto Soriano gave Bologna an early lead but Domenico Berardi curled in an equaliser in the 18th minute.

However, Mattias Svanberg restored Bologna’s lead shortly before halftime and, when Riccardo Orsolini’s shot was deflected in on the hour, Sassuolo appeared to be heading for their first defeat.

Francesco Caputo set up Filip Djuricic to make it 3-2 after 64 minutes and six minutes later Caputo nodded in the equaliser following a poor clearance from Bologna forward Rodrigo Palacio.

Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu handed Sassuolo their third win this season after accidently turning into his own net with 20 minutes to go.

Edin Deko scored his first two goals of the season as Roma earned back-to-back wins despite an early scare after Gianluca Caprari put Benevento ahead after five minutes.

Former Chelsea forward Pedro got his first goal in the Stadio Olimpico off a Lorenzo Pellegrini cross after half an hour with Dzeko adding another, four minutes later.

Benevento was offered a way back into the game 10 minutes into the second half when Jordan Veretout fouled Artur Ionita and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Gianluca Lapadula saw his spot kick saved but he turned in the rebound.

Roma was awarded a penalty of its own when Benevento goalkeeper Lorenzo Montip tripped Pedro. Veretout converted to make up for his earlier error before a second Dzeko goal after 76 minutes, and an impressive solo run from Carles Perez before the whistle sealed victory.

In Udine, Uruguayan forward Ignacio Pusetto’s late winner earned a first win this season for Udinese, 3-2 over coronavirus-hit Parma, missing seven players.

Fiorentina threw away a two-goal lead, going two goals up after four minutes before settling for a 2-2 draw at promoted Spezia.

In Turin, an Andrea Belotti brace was not enough to secure a first win this season for Torino, who slumped 3-2 to Cagliari.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2020