Saturday 4 April 2015 15:31, UK
Roma strengthened their grip on second place in Serie A thanks to a 1-0 win over Napoli which puts nine points between the two sides in the standings.
Miralem Pjanic's 15th-minute goal was enough to earn Rudi Garcia's men all three points, although they had to survive a storm at the Stadio Olimpico as Napoli pushed in vain for an equaliser.
The win ensures the Giallorossi will remain second this weekend having put enough of a gap between themselves and city rivals Lazio.
The hosts had their best spell of the game in the opening 15 minutes, but then lost their way as Napoli asserted themselves.
Fortunately for Roma, by that time they had taken the lead with Iturbe sending Alessandro Florenzi deep, and his pass back was swept into the bottom right-hand corner by Pjanic.
Inspired by an enterprising Dries Mertens, Napoli responded well, forcing their former goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis to make a string of saves to keep Roma in front.
Jose Callejon wasted the best opportunity of the first half when faced with only De Sanctis to beat, but he showed a reluctance to shoot and, after defenders had got back, he instead set up Jonathan De Guzman, whose shot was blocked by Kostas Manolas.
Napoli continued to attack in the second half with De Sanctis again making an excellent instinctive save to turn substitute Manolo Gabbiadini's effort wide.
The Roma custodian made another save to deny Gabbaidini's shot from the edge of the area before Roma wasted the chance to wrap up victory on the break when Iturbe took the ball round Mariano Andujar, but shot into the side-netting.
Andujar went forward for a late corner as the Azzurri searched for an equaliser, but it was not their day as Roma resisted despite some late drama inside their penalty area, winning at home for the first time since November 30.
