27.09.2014 20:15 h

Roma's late show takes them top in Serie A

Roma went into a provisional three-point lead in Serie A with a tough 2-0 win over Verona while Juventus can pull level later on Saturday with maximum points at Atalanta.

Rudi Garcia's men made it a perfect five wins from five, but were pushed all the way by the visitors before Italian international Alessandro Florenzi struck a sweet opener with 15 minutes remaining.

Mattia Destro then fired home a long range shot with four minutes left as Verona suffered their first defeat of the season after opening with two wins and two draws.

They remain sixth, but are now seven points behind Roma in their quest to win a first Italian title since 1985.

Florenzi, who was left out of Cesare Prandelli's World Cup squad in Brazil, scored with a low right foot shot from the edge of the box that flew into Pierluigi Gollini's bottom corner.

Gollini had 23 shots bombarded on his besieged goal, but the Roma fans were made to wait until the final quarter hour when Florenzi eased their nerves and then Destro put the result beyond doubt.

A busy slate on Sunday features six matches, including fourth placed Inter Milan at home to rock bottom Cagliari, while Udinese, who came into the weekend in third spot, are not in action until Monday when they host Parma.