Roma continued their nightmare week by throwing away a two-goal lead in the final seconds to draw 2-2 at newly promoted Cagliari.
A first half Diego Perotti penalty and Kevin Strootman's first Serie A goal since January 2014 less than a minute after the restart weren't enough to take the three points back to the Italian capital, and Roma face yet another inquest.
How can Luciano Spalletti's side even dream of challenging an all-conquering Juventus when they continue to show the same psychological failings that have dogged them year after year?
Positives
Strootman's first league goal in 952 days was a classic box-to-box midfielder's finish, and the Dutchman continues to look up for the fight in the centre of the park.
His return to form is great news after the sale of Miralem Pjanic to Juventus in the summer, and his smart run and finish to double Roma's lead was a reminder of the player that so enraptured Roma before his knees gave way. When he and his teammates click, they are a sight to behold.
Negatives
What is it about Roma that gives them all the resilience of a tiramisu?
Strootman's goal should have been enough to keep an enthusiastic Cagliari at bay but, even two goals ahead, they looked terrified of the hosts pressing and direct attacking.
A team that has ambitions to win their first Scudetto in a generation cannot be so timid defending a two-goal lead, especially when faced with a journeyman centre-forward like Marco Borriello.
Manager rating out of 10
5 -- It all looked to be going great for Spalletti when substitute Edin Dzeko laid on Strootman's goal with a delightful cushioned header just seconds after coming off the bench. However, the coach's switch to a three-man central defence with 25 minutes left invited Cagliari to search for the equaliser and failed to shore up his side's rocky defence.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Wojciech Szczesny, 6 -- Made some decent saves, in particular from Borriello in the first half and Marco Sau in the lead up to Borriello's strike, and couldn't be blamed for either goal.
DF Alessandro Florenzi, 5 -- Handed the captain's armband after Daniele De Rossi's damaging red card against Porto earned the wrath of Spalletti. Florenzi's terrible pass when under pressure, which led to Cagliari's 88th-minute equaliser will likely see the coach's anger now turned on him.
DF Kostas Manolas, 5 -- If it's true that he's upset at Roma not accepting a €35 million bid from Arsenal, he needs to shake it out of his system, because a defender of his class should not be being turned over like he was by Borriello.
DF Thomas Vermaelen, 4 -- Roma haven't had a truly commanding central defence since Medhi Benatia left for Bayern Munich, and the Belgian looks a long way from that level at the moment. Bossed by Sau and Borriello.
DF Bruno Peres, 5 -- The Brazilian showed once again what an exciting attacking talent he is, this time on the left flank, but his defending really does leave a lot to be desired at times.
MF Radja Nainggolan, 6 -- Started with all the usual bite and hustle one expects from the Belgian, but he faded badly in the second half and got lost amid Cagliari's intense pressing.
MF Daniele De Rossi, 5 -- Looked subdued after having the captaincy taken away from him, as though he didn't want to risk further controversy by attempting any tackles.
MF Kevin Strootman, 6 -- Goal aside, this was not his best display in a Roma shirt, as he was guilty as the rest of his teammates of sitting back and inviting the pressure that eventually cost them the three points.
FW Mohamed Salah, 6 -- His absolute peach of a cross to Dzeko led to Strootman doubling Roma's lead, and the Egyptian was extremely unlucky that his deft curling strike 12 minutes in didn't finish a flowing counter-attack with a goal. Offered a constant threat down the right.
FW Diego Perotti, 6 -- Classily tucked away his third penalty in two league matches in a bright start, but slipped out of the game long before he was subbed for Federico Fazio in the 64th minute.
FW Stephan El Shaarawy, 5 -- Did very little beyond winning the sixth-minute penalty that opened the scoring, and was duly removed at half-time.
Substitutes
FW Edin Dzeko, 7 -- Set up Strootman with a beautifully weighted headed pass immediately after the break. A good display despite familiar indecisiveness/misfortune in front of goal.
DF Federico Fazio, 5 -- Came on for Perotti as Roma tried to stave off Cagliari with a more tightly packed defence. It didn't work.
MF Leandro Paredes, N/R -- Looks like he hasn't quite got the measure of his role in this team.