Roma edged past Empoli 1-0 tonight to make it two wins from as many games at the start of the Serie A season.
Empoli had the first chance of the game, but Francesco Tavano sent his volley wide of the mark.
At the other end, Alessandro Florenzi also volleyed towards goal and tested Luigi Sepe with a strong effort.
Matias Vecino then squandered a good opportunity for the hosts, before Maicon came within inches of opening the scoring for Roma as his shot rattled the bar.
Radja Nainggolan gave the visitors the lead in fortuitous fashion in first-half stoppage time as his shot hit Sepe before settling in the back of the net.
Maicon continued to be an attacking threat for the visitors and was thwarted by Sepe after a clever one-two with Miralem Pjanic after the break.
With 15 minutes remianing, Morgan de Sanctis made a crucial save to deny Daniele Croce as Roma moved to the top of Serie A.
Kristian Johnson
