Roma squeezes out a draw in Serie A opener

New arrivals Edin Dzeko, Iago Falque, Mohamed Salah and Wojciech Szczesny all made their Serie A debuts for the visitor.

August 22 AS Roma’s bid to end the Juventus stranglehold on Serie A got off to an indifferent start when they came from behind to draw 1-1 at Verona on Saturday. And Dzeko produced a lively performance up front, while Szczesny at times kept his side in the game with a string of fine saves.

Roma’s first big test of the season comes as early as next week when they host Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico.

Jankovic was not to be denied, however, as he volleyed Verona ahead from Hallfredsson’s cross in the 61st minute.

Verona nearly took the lead with barely a minute on the clock but Juanito Gomez Taleb curled just over.

Szczesny tipped away a Samuel Souprayen drive and was then rescued by Daniele De Rossi who headed Bosko Jankovic’s header off the line three minutes before halftime.

Roma was swiftly back on level terms with a 25-yard snapshot from Florenzi.

Pjanic nearly won the match in the final minutes but Rafael made a great save to turn the Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder’s effort onto his post from close range.

Goals by Lucas Biglia and Ricardo Kishna secured a 2-1 win over Bologna and gave Lazio top spot in Serie A on Saturday’s opening day. Bologna gave themselves a lifeline on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Matteo Mancosu but they couldn’t keep the pressure on their opponents and find an equaliser.

Argentina global Biglia opened the scoring for the Rome side with a neat finish from the edge of the area after 17 minutes.

It was Lazio who threatened first when Kishna delivered an inch-perfect ball to Antonio Candreva who was in space a few yards out, but the Italian put his header wide.