体坛英语新闻：Roma beat Atalanta to move closer to Juventus

ROME, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Roma kept up pressure on Juventus on Saturday as they beat Atalanta 3-1 to move within five points of the Serie A leaders.

Rodrigo Taddei opened the scoring before Adem Ljajic added the second and set up for Gervinho's goal. Giulio Migliaccio bagged a consolation for the Nerazzurri.

The win practically secured Roma's second spot with 15 points now between them and third-placed Napoli, who host Lazio on Sunday.

Roma head coach Rudi Garcia cut an elated figure following the win.

"We could've avoided conceding the late goal and been more consistent throughout the game, but apart from that I saw a great Roma," he said.

"The team play and scoring opportunities were wonderful. I loved the second and third goals, which were created by the collective. That is hugely satisfying for a coach to see," he said.

Roma are now five points adrift of Juventus, who could restore their eight-point lead with a win at Udinese on Monday.

"It was very important to extend our lead over third place and to keep the title race alive," Garcia said.

Roma captain Francesco Totti did not even need to score a goal himself to make a difference.

He slipped Dodo's hooked pass to Taddei who struck through a pack of players to give Roma the lead in the 13th minute.

Totti contributed to Roma's second goal scored by Ljajic after Daniele De Rossi selflessly touched Totti's pass back to the Serbian midfielder, who could not miss.

A fine backheeled pass from Totti set up Ljajic to tee up Gervinho for Roma's third in the 63rd minute before the captain was given a standing ovation as he made way for Michel Bastos.

Gervinho contrived to miss an even easier chance from five yards out, missing an open goal from Dodo's cross, and shortly after, Migliaccio stunned Roma with a powerful, committed header to pull a goal back.

In the other kick-off of the day, Relegation-threatened Sassuolo claimed a much-needed point from a 1-1 clash at home against Cagliari.

Simone Zaza put the home side ahead eight minutes before the break, but an Agim Ibrahimi penalty at the start of the second half clinched a point for the visitors.