Radja Nainggolan found the back of the net just before half time to leave Roma level at 1-1 with Udinese in Serie A this evening.
Roma looked the stronger of the two sides early on as they pushed for an opening goal, but a run from Victor Ibarbo was blocked, while Juan Iturbe was unable to connect with a teammate a few minutes later.
Udinese started to see more of the ball midway through the period though, setting up Silvan Widmer for a shot, which was saved by the keeper, but Stipe Perica was ready to fire in the rebound for his first Serie A goal.
Francesco Totti tried his luck with a long-range free kick in a bid to get the hosts back on level terms, but Orestis Karnezis pulled off the save, before Daniele de Rossi blasted the ball wide shortly after.
Roma continued to press for an equaliser, but Udinese could have doubled their advantage when Widmer crossed the ball in for Perica, only for the on-loan striker to nod just wide of the right post.
The hosts eventually got back on level terms with just seconds remaining before the break as Nainggolan met a cross from Totti, taking a touch before lashing it into the roof of the net.
Sian Cowper
