Soccer-Cristante’s goal hands Roma narrow win over Salernitana

A first-half strike by midfielder Bryan Cristante helped AS Roma grab a 1-0 win at Salernitana in their Serie A opener on Sunday, while forward Paulo Dybala disappointed fans as he failed to find the back of the net on his debut. After two good chances for Roma by winger Nicolo Zaniolo, and a close attempt by Salernitana striker Federico Bonazzoli, Jose Mourinho’s men finally took the lead in the 33rd minute.

Cristante fired a low shot from outside the crowded box to put Roma ahead as the ball bounced off the pitch twice before it landed in bottom right corner. Roma’s new signing Dybala came close to doubling their lead before the break but his strike hit the right post. Earlier, the Argentine international fired a free kick both above the wall but also narrowly above the crossbar.

Substitute Georginio Wijnaldum was even closer to scoring on his Roma debut as he found the net after receiving a neat pass from Dybala in the 86th minute, but the referee disallowed his effort for offside. Salernitana, who narrowly avoided being relegated last season, travel to Udinese on Saturday. Roma host newly-promoted Cremonese on Aug. 22.

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