Gasperini picking up right where Ranieri left off as Roma rejoins Napoli atop Serie A

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ROME (AP) — Gian Piero Gasperini is picking up right where Claudio Ranieri left off at Roma.

The Giallorossi were virtually unbeatable during the second half of last season under Ranieri and now have five wins in their opening six matches under Gasperini.

A 2-1 come-from-behind victory at winless Fiorentina on Sunday kept Roma level with defending champion Napoli atop Serie A, three points ahead of the two Milan clubs.

Napoli also came from a goal down to beat visiting Genoa 2-1.

AC Milan had a chance to rejoin the leaders with a win at Juventus later — before the international break.

After Moise Kean struck first for Fiorentina, Roma came back with goals from Matias Soule and Bryan Cristante by the half-hour mark.

Ranieri hand-picked Gasperini to succeed him in his new special advisor role after retiring from coaching after last season.

Known for his high-scoring teams, Gasperini made the move to the capital after nine successful seasons at Atalanta.

Somewhat surprisingly, Roma has been better in defense than attack under Gasperini, conceding a league-low two goals in six matches — with only seven scored.

“We’re not getting much credit for being where we are but this squad has been able to obtain results while improving in terms of both quality and enjoyment level,” Gasperini said. “Let’s enjoy the moment but let’s not discuss grand goals.”

Kean opened the scoring with a long-range effort that Roma’s standout goalkeeper Mile Svilar could have done better on.

Then Soule equalized with one touch from the edge of the area and Cristante — who also played under Gasperini at Atalanta — powered in a header from a corner.

Napoli was coming off its first Serie A loss of the season after getting beat at Milan last weekend and had a tough start when Genoa’s 18-year-old striker Jeff Ekhator scored with a splendid backheel goal from close range.

But Frank Anguissa equalized with a header after the break and Rasmus Hojlund won it by sending in a rebound of a shot from Anguissa in the 75th for his third goal in two matches following a brace in the Champions League.

It was a strong second-half performance by Napoli, with Kevin De Bruyne inspiring the Partenopei’s play. Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo hit the post before Hojlund’s goal.

Bologna routed 10-man Pisa 4-0 with goals from Nicolò Cambiaghi, Nikola Moro, Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odgaard.

Louis Buffon, the 17-year-old son of former Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, came on in the second half for Pisa to make his Serie A debut. His dad was also 17 when he made his Italian league debut for Parma in 1995.

Udinese and Cagliari drew 1-1.

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