Football: Roma hold off Empoli for 2-1 win in Ranieri's first match since his return

Claudio Ranieri made a winning return as Roma boss with a 2-1 victory over struggling Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, but not without a late scare. Ranieri, who was in charge between 2009 and 2011, returned on a deal until the end of the season after Eusebio Di Francesco's dismissal. His second spell started brightly when Stephan El Shaarawy scored in the ninth minute. But the lead lasted just three minutes as centre-back Juan Jesus put the ball into his own goal. Patrik Schick restored the hosts lead as he headed home captain Alessandro Florenzi's free-kick on 33 minutes. Empoli thought they had snatched a late point when Rade Krunic scored in the 89th minute.