AS Roma manage disappointing draw with Hellas Verona

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:21 am
AS Roma are now nine points back of Juventus in the Serie A table.
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Roma lost ground in the Serie A title race on Sunday after drawing 1-1 at Hellas Verona.

The loss has left the Giallorossi nine points adrift of league leaders Juventus, who won 2-1 over Atalanta on Friday.

Francesco Totti struck to put the visitors ahead in the 26th minute before Bosko Jankovic's goal saw Hellas Verona level.

The Giallorossi were unlucky not to regain the lead on the stroke of halftime after Adem Ljajic's powerful free-kick hit the crossbar.

Roma struggled again in front of goal. The squad has not hit the back of the net more than twice in a game since November.

The outcome in Verona is Roma's sixth draw in their last six games, including Thursday's 1-1 result against Feyenoord in their Europa League Round of 32 tie.

Hellas, who had lost their previous three league games, held on for a vital point in their battle to avoid relegation.

Next up for Roma is a home game against reigning champions Juve.

Visiting coach Rudi Garcia had hoped for both a win and more goals at Verona.

Roma were boosted by the return of team's top scorer Ljajic, who missed the midweek European match with a rib injury.

They dominated possession and tested Hellas Verona goalkeeper Francesco Benussi three times in the opening 16 minutes.

Benussi did well to keep out Radja Nainggolan, Ljajic and Ashley Cole's attempts from just outside the area.

Roma took a deserved lead shortly after when Totti got past his marker and found space to drilled a right-footed strike from 25-yards past a helpless Benussi.

Bosko Jankovic's header from Emil Hallfredsson's corner kick then beat Roma goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis to draw the sides level.

Before the interval, Ljajic was denied by the woodwork with Benussi rooted to the spot.

The home side showed more intent and twice wasted a chance to move in front in the 52nd minute.

With De Sanctis off his line, Vasilis Torosidis made a goal-line clearance to deny Artur Ionita and then kept out Hallfredsson's close-range attempt.

Roma struggled to find a break through and Nainggolan should have done better with one minute remaining but his left-footed strike from 14 yards lacked power and proved an easy save for Benussi.

Hellas held on to climb to 15th place, five points clear of the drop zone.