AS Roma moved to within four points of the top three in Serie A thanks to a 1-0 home victory against struggling Genoa CFC.

Pablo Osvaldo, returning from suspension, scored the only goal after three minutes at the Stadio Olimpico when he controlled a pass into the penalty area from Leandro Greco, cut inside Marco Rossi and drilled a low shot across Sébastien Frey.

While the Giallorossi consolidated their grip on sixth and have their sights set firmly on Italy's final UEFA Champions League berth, held by third-placed S.S. Lazio, Genoa must end a winless slump which now stands at seven matches.

In Spain, meanwhile, RCD Espanyol recovered from a goal down to beat Real Racing Club 3-1 in Barcelona, Héctor Moreno (81) rounding off the scoring as Mauricio Pochettino's side climbed three places to sixth. Racing, who had Marco Gullón sent off six minutes into the second half, remain in the bottom three after their ninth Liga game without victory.