Veretout scores twice as Roma beat Udinese to go back third

One week after losing to Juventus, who jumped into third, Roma took advantage of the reigning champions' loss to Napoli on Saturday night.

Roma continued their strong form at the Stadio Olimpico even without Edin Dzeko, who returned from his brief exile when he came on for the last 21 minutes. They are the only team in Serie A unbeaten at home this season.

Veretout put Roma ahead after five minutes, racing forward to meet a cross from Gianluca Mancini with a powerful header. After visiting goalkeeper Juan Musso upended Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the 25th minute, Veretout converted the penalty. It was Veretout's fourth succesful penalty and ninth league goal of the season.

With 15 league goals (and 17 in all competitions) since his arrival in Rome from Fiorentina in 2019, the former Aston Villa and Nantes player has overtaken Vincent Candela as Roma's top-scoring French player.

Pedro Rodriguez replaced Veretout after 78 minutes and added the third goal in added time. Roma moved a point ahead of Juventus and three points clear of Napoli, though those teams have a game in hand, against each other.

Roma are six points behind leaders AC Milan and four points behind Inter Milan who host Lazio in the evening match.