Roma have conceded in stoppage time in a surprise 1-1 draw with Sassuolo in Serie A this afternoon, ending a run of five successive home wins without letting the opposition score.
Rudi Garcia's side started brightly and quickly took control of possession, with Miralem Pjanic just failing to connect with Federico Balzaretti's inviting cross at the far post.
© AFP
Sassuolo sat deep but offered a threat on the counter through Domenico Berardi, who forced Morgan De Sanctis into a smart stop early on.
On 19 minutes Roma took the lead thanks to a touch of fortune, as Alessandro Longhi turned into his own net after Alessandro Florenzi's effort from close range had initially been parried.
The Giallorossi were forced into a change on the half-hour mark, with Marco Borriello unable to continue.
Garcia resisted the temptation to call on Gervinho and instead introduced Michael Bradley, with Pjanic pushed further forward as Roma held their narrow advantage until the interval.
After the break the hosts continued to probe but were unable to extend their lead, with Maicon's teasing cross finishing inches wide of the far post.
Pjanic then flashed a volley beyond the target as home pressure continued, before Adem Ljajic was shut down by Gianluca Pegolo from close range.
Sassuolo kept the match close and rewarded four minutes into added time, when Berardi reacted quickest in a packed penalty area to blast under the crossbar and earn the visitors a last-gasp point.
Liam Power
