Boasting a three-game league unbeaten run heading into this match, Sassuolo started the game confidently and should have taken an early lead, but Kristian Thorstvedt squandered a big opportunity when his close-range header drifted wide of the post.
The hosts maintained their early pressure and shortly afterwards, Alieu Fadera saw his effort from inside the penalty area tipped around the post by Mile Svilar.
Yet, despite Sassuolo’s positive start, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Dybala was in the right place at the right time to hook the ball into the back of the net following Arijanet Muric’s save to deny Bryan Cristante.
The hosts responded well to that setback and should have equalised shortly before the half-hour mark when, once again, an unmarked Thorstvedt steered a header wide and blew a golden opportunity.
With five minutes remaining before the interval, Dybala could only find the side-netting with a free-kick from a very dangerous area, but the Giallorossi did enough to maintain their one-goal lead at half-time.
The opening stages of the second half carried on in the same vein as the first as the Neroverdi continued to fluff their lines in the final third. Next up to waste an opportunity was Andrea Pinamonti, whose shot from inside the penalty area was dragged wide.
Just after the midway point of the second period, the visitors created a big opportunity to double their advantage, but substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini saw his close-range effort come back off the woodwork.
As the game wore on, Fabio Grosso’s side seemed to tire, and Roma went close to killing the game off with 10 minutes of normal time remaining. Turkish international Zeki Celik’s bullet header flashed narrowly over the bar, while on his side’s very next attack, Wesley wasted a glorious chance to wrap the game up with a poor finish.
Roma’s lack of clinical edge has been a common theme so far this season, with only eight goals scored in as many Serie A games, but the Giallorossi did just enough to secure a win on the road.
The three points will be a huge relief for Giallorossi head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after two defeats on the trot in all competitions. The victory also means that Roma sit just behind league leaders Napoli on goal difference.
Despite the home defeat, Sassuolo remain in 12th position in the league table, with a trip to Cagliari next on the horizon.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Paulo Dybala (Roma)
