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Roma smash Empoli 7-0, Madrid climb back to the top of La Liga
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Roma players celebrate during their Serie A clash with Empoli at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, September 17, 2023. /CFP
Roma players celebrate during their Serie A clash with Empoli at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, September 17, 2023. /CFP

Roma players celebrate during their Serie A clash with Empoli at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, September 17, 2023. /CFP

Romelu Lukaku scored his first Roma goal in Sunday's 7-0 demolition of Empoli, his new team's first win of the Serie A season. The Belgium forward rolled in Roma's sixth in the 82nd minute of a dominating performance in which talisman Paulo Dybala also got off the mark for the season with a brace.

Strikes from Renato Sanches, Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini, as well as a comical Albert Grassi own goal ensured a rout against pointless, goalless and rock-bottom Empoli which moved Roma out of the relegation zone and up to 12th on four points.

"It's obviously important for strikers to score goals," said coach Jose Mourinho. "It was perfect for him as he scores in front his fans and he leaves the field happy. He needs to feel loved and wanted. He's come here and he felt immediately that the team needed him."

Meanwhile, Christian Kouame shot Fiorentina to a 3-2 win over Atalanta with the decisive strike in their entertaining Serie A clash in Florence.

Ivorian Kouame pounced on defensive indecisiveness in the 76th minute to prod home his first goal of the season and move Fiorentina up to seventh.

Giacomo Bonaventura and Lucas Martinez-Quarta scored Fiorentina's other goals at the Stadio Artemio Franchi as the hosts moved a level on seven points with champions Napoli and Frosinone, 4-2 winners over Sassuolo earlier in the day.

Real Madrid's Joselu celebrates his team's second goal during their La Liga clash with Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, Spain, September 17, 2023. /CFP
Real Madrid's Joselu celebrates his team's second goal during their La Liga clash with Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, Spain, September 17, 2023. /CFP

Real Madrid's Joselu celebrates his team's second goal during their La Liga clash with Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, Spain, September 17, 2023. /CFP

In Spain, Real Madrid came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 and climbed back to the top of La Liga on Sunday, maintaining their perfect start to the season.

After Barcelona put five past Real Betis, in a flashy display on Saturday, the onus was on Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid side to maintain their 100 percent record and they did, against the tricky Basque visitors.

Propelled by the electric Takefusa Kubo, Real Sociedad took an early lead through Ander Barrenetxea, but Madrid hit back with goals from Fede Valverde and Joselu to earn their fifth win from five games.

England's international Jude Bellingham was unable to continue his excellent goal-scoring form, after netting five goals in his first four Madrid matches, but remains the division's top goalscorer.

Madrid started their Champions League campaign on Wednesday at home against Union Berlin, despite losing Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema in the summer and star player Vinicius Junior to injury, they remain a force to be reckoned with.

"We kept believing, we know that here at home the support we've received is incredible," said left-back Fran Garcia, who set up both goals. "I'm happy to help the team, now we have to think about the next game which is coming up very soon."

Source(s): AFP

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