Roma's winning recipe works again: Wolfess beats Cremonese to climb Serie A top

The Serie A has been underway for 12 rounds, and AS Roma remain valid title contenders. And not only are they in the race, but they are the current leaders, as a 3-1 win over Cremonese today helped them leapfrog Napoli and Inter Milan, at least until the latter play their clash against city rivals in the Derby della Madonnina (22.45).

Either way, the Giallorossi were in for a tricky task against sturdy Cremonese on the road, but Gian Piero Gasperini's crew recorded its ninth league triumph in the campaign much easier than expected.

Truth be told, despite Matias Soule's 17th-minute deadlock breaker, the home team was better in the first half, as the keeper Mile Svilar kept the visitors' head above water. The 26-year-old emerged victorious from duels against Federico Bonazzoli and Jari Vandeputte (twice).

Dignity restored: Napoli return to Serie A top after brushing aside pale Atalanta

The VAR room was as busy as it gets, given that Roma's second goal - scored by Lorenzo Pellegrini - was ruled out for offside, while Cremonese's potential added-time penalty kick was overturned.

After the break, Gasperini improved his team's attack, subbing on Neil El Aynaoui, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Evan Ferguson, and the Irishman paid off the trust, doubling the Roman side's lead in the 64th minute after a melee in the home team's box.

Just five minutes later, Wesley Franca made it 3-0 following a hasty counter and El Shaarawy's timely pass, sealing Cremonese's fate. The only notable thing Davide Nicola's men managed to do was Francesco Folino's consolation goal deep in added time.

Thanks to the triumph at Stadio Giovanni Zini, the Wolfess earned a two-point edge over Napoli and a three-point advantage over Inter, though the Nerazzurri could catch up if they beat Milan.

Hence, Roma and their fans will cheer for the Rossoneri with all their hearts, while the dream of their first Scudetto after 25 years keeps becoming more and more realistic.

SERIE A - ROUND 12

Saturday

Cagliari - Genoa 3-3 (2-2)

/Borrelli 33, 60, Esposito 43 - Vitinha 18, Ostigard 41, Martin 83/

Udinese - Bologna 0-3 (0-0)

/Pobega 54, 59, Bernardeschi 90+4/

Fiorentina - Juventus 1-1 (0-1)

/Mandragora 48 - Kostic 45+4/

Napoli - Atalanta 3-1 (3-0)

/Neres 17, 38, Lang 45 - Scamacca 52/

Sunday

Verona - Parma 1-2 (0-1)

/Giovane 65 - Pellegrino 18, 80/

Cremonese - Roma 1-3 (0-1)

/Folino 90+3 - Soule 17, Ferguson 64, Wesley 69/

20.00: (1.65) Lazio (3.60) Lecce (6.00)

22.45: (1.95) Inter (3.60) Milan (4.20)

Monday

20.30: (3.50) Torino (3.20) Como (2.30)

22.45: (2.05) Sassuolo (3.35) Pisa (3.80)

***odds are subject to change***