Paulo Dybala scored his first hat-trick in a Roma jersey in a 3-2 win over Torino in Serie A on Monday and kept the capital city’s Champions League ambitions alive. But Lazio faltered in Tuscany and missed the chance to close the gap on their city rivals with a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina. Roma are sixth with 44 points, four points behind Bologna who are in the last Champions League spot. Fiorentina moved up to seventh place, three points behind Roma, having dropped Lazio to eighth.

England defender Chris Smalling got his first start for Roma in almost six months.

But former Juventus forward Dybala was in superb form as the Romans eased past Feyenoord to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.

Roma coach Daniele De Rossi said, “The talent of the champion came to the fore. Players like Paulo are decisive and for me they should never be questioned.”

“We knew it would be tough after the hard work on Thursday.”

Dybala scored his first goal from the penalty spot three minutes before the break in a tight game at the Stadio Olimpico.

Duvan Zapata revived Torino’s hopes two minutes later, scoring a goal to keep the visitors in the game until the half-time whistle.

Dybala once again came to the rescue, curling in a second after 57 minutes, completing his hat-trick 12 minutes later after good work from substitute Romelu Lukaku.

For Dybala it was the seventh hat-trick of his career, and the first in the Champions League for Juventus since October 2018.

Dean Huijsen inadvertently put the ball into his own net two minutes from time, leading to a tense finale.

But De Rossi’s side continued their winning streak after a painful 4-2 defeat at the hands of Inter Milan two weeks ago.

De Rossi said, “Of course we could have had less losses, there are games to kill, we could have managed it a little better towards the end, but I am satisfied, I saw good things.”

Fiorentina, meanwhile, came from behind to see off Lazio despite rattling the woodwork three times and missing a penalty.

Luis Alberto put Lazio ahead after 45 minutes, but Michael Kayode and Giacomo Bonaventura counter-attacked with two goals in an eight-minute run after the hour.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)