By Melody Gross 
Roma won its second successive victory in the Italian Serie A tonight, defeating its guest, Lecce (2-1), in a match that counts for the ninth round of the competition.
At the Olympico in Rome, Jose Mourinho fired Rui Patricio into the net and saw fellow Portuguese goalkeeper Chris Smalling open the scoring six minutes later, after a pass from Lorenzo Pellegrini.
The entry of the Romans was strong and life was easier for Mourinho’s men in the 22nd minute, when the visiting team was reduced to ten units: Hjolmand dealt more strictly with Belotti, the referee went to the VAR and decided to send him off. .
But the relief was uncomfortable and Roma was punished with some defensive indifference. Strefezza, in a confused movement, scored the equalizer six minutes before the end of the first half.
Mourinho put more meat on the grill in the second half – Spinazzola and Tammy Abraham came in – and rewarded in the 48th minute. Paulo Dybala, penalty kick, re-established advantage Giallorossi. But it is not beautiful without exception: in determining the maximum penalty, the Argentine ace was injured and replaced by Nemanja Matic, the former Benfica midfielder. Mourinho’s headache.
With this victory, Rome does not lose contact with the summit Italian Serie AIt is in fifth place, four points behind the leaders Napoli. Lecce occupies sixteenth place with seven points.