Roma went into tonight's Serie A clash with Chievo chasing a place in Europe after an impressive run of five matches unbeaten.
The home side dominated from the outset but were frustrated by a stubborn Cheivo defence, with Pablo Daniel Osvaldo missing the Giallorossi's best chance from close range.
Late on the Flying Donkeys broke to deadly effect and grabbed all three points as Cyril Thereau broke the deadlock from close range.
Here, look back at a disappointing night for Aurelio Andreazzoli's men with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening Calcio fans. A full list of midweek Serie A fixtures begins at the Olimpico tonight as in-form Roma bid to cement their European ambitions against Chievo. Aurelio Andreazzoli's side are one of the most attractive to watch in European football and promise more commitment to an attacking approach this evening against the Flying Donkeys.
Roma have saved their stuttering campaign under interim coach Andreazzoli and have gone five matches without tasting defeat. The Giallorossi showed surprising defensive resolve to steal a surprise victory at Fiorentina last time out, and can go level with La Viola in fourth with a win tonight.
The re-emergence of Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has been a real feature of Roma's return to form. The physical, talented striker has shrugged off speculation over his-long future in the Eternal City to score four goals in his last two goals and should provide Chievo with plenty of cause for concern this evening.
Chievo have won just one of their last six matches, but that proved to be a crucial victory over relegation rivals Siena. The visitors are within touching distance of securing safety in Serie A after reaching 40 points with a draw against Cagliari last time out. A positive result tonight will guarantee another season in the top flight as Eugenio Corini bids to repeat his 1-0 success over Lazio in this stadium earlier in the campaign.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Roma have decided to shuffle their pack in attack tonight, with Mattia Destro picked ahead of Erik Lamela in a wide forward role. A full look at both starting XI's will follow in just a few moments.
ROMA: Lobont, Marquinhos, Burdisso, Castan, Piris, De Rossi, Pjanic, Dodò, Totti, Destro, Osvaldo
CHIEVO: Puggioni, Frey, Andreolli, Dainelli, Papp, Dramé, Hetemaj, Luciano, Cofie, Thereau, Stoian
After his impressive performance in the Coppa Italia last month Destro finally gets his chance in Serie A this evening. Argentine forward Lamela looked tired against Fiorentina last weekend and is rested as a result for the visit of Chievo. Destro will start in a three-man attack with Totti and Osvaldo, with freedom to change positions in a fluid formation.
Balzaretti also misses out through suspension for Roma, with Marquinhos drafted to form what looks likely to be a three-man defence alongside Nicolas Burdisso and Leandro Castan. Ivan Piris and Miralem Pjanic also start for the home side as they aim to four points clear in the final Europa League qualifying spot.
Quite remarkably Romanian goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont also starts for Roma tonight, despite suffering a fractured nose against Fiorentina on Sunday. Lobont was brought off at half-time in Florence but with Maarten Stelekenburg still sidelined the veteran keeps his place in the home side's starting XI.
Chievo are without a trio of first-team regulars for the trip to Rome, with Luca Rigoni ruled out along with Sergio Pellissier and Alberto Paloschi. With Paloschi absent Romanian forward Adrian Stoian is drafter in to partner Cyril Thereau in attack.
PREDICTION! I expect Chievo to frustrate the home side for long spells with a stubborn, compact approach this evening, but ultimately Roma's attacking impetus will make the difference. Osvaldo is a striker on fine form and should continue that run tonight, finding the target in a 2-0 win for Andreazzoli's side.
Complacency is an issue Roma must combat tonight after being caught cold by teams at the bottom in recent times. Rock bottom Pescara earned a point at the Olimpico last month, while Palermo have also beaten the Giallorossi in 2013. Andreazzoli must keep his attacking outfit motivated with the faint hopes of gatecrashing the Champions League race still alive.
Both sides are out at an Olimpico filled with passion behind a packed home end as Roma bid to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches. Andreazzoli's side are undoubtedly fun to watch but can Chievo take advantage and spring a surprise on the counter this evening?
There is a slight delay to kickoff as both teams mark the passing former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti with a minute's silence.
Roma get the first clash of full round of midweek Serie A fixtures underway, shooting from right to left. Almost immediately a long pass in search of Totti is cleared by Chievo, with Stoian chasing a lost cause down near the corner flag to force Castan into a hurried, sliding clearance.
Dainelli's covering header earns Roma an early corner kick, but a super curling cross from Pjanic flies past the far post without a single home player attacking, much to Chievo's relief. Chievo look to break at the other end but a chipped diagonal delivery from Hetemaj is cut out by Piris.
Totti leads a swift Roma attack and slips a clever pass wide of the penalty area to Osvaldo. The forward aims a chipped cross in search of Destro at the far post, but his effort flies out for a goal kick as power defeats direction.
This match promises to be an interesting tactical battle, with both teams playing a three-man defence. Roma are just beginning to control possession as Totti drops deep to dictate play, but Dodo spoils a forward charge with a poor first touch just outside the penalty area.
Thereau forces a break in play for treatment after being clipped from behind by Burdisso. When play resumes Totti drives into the final third but is ushered out of play by strong defending from Andreolli. Neither side has managed to create a strike at goal in a cagey early exchange.
A neat one-two between Luciano and Frey puts Chievo in dangerous forward position, but Burdisso reads the danger and smashes clear with authority. Roma regain possession and keep the ball deep as they probe without penetration.
Dodo drives forward with a clever run inside and arrives in the penalty area after swapping passes with Osvaldo. His shot towards goal is blocked behind for a corner kick, with Totti's delivery quickly cleared by a strong Chievo defence.
Destro keeps a Roma attack alive with a strong header at the far post in search of Osvaldo. The towering striker eventually brings a bouncing ball under control but is crowded out by two covering Chievo defenders, with Totti eventually winning a corner kick. The veteran's quick delivery is a disappointment as Piris concedes a free kick for a foul on Hetemaj.
Destro's first touch lets him down as he fails to control a wonderful diagonal pass from Totti after a clever run away from his static marker. Roma need a touch more composure in the final third to create chances at this stage. At the other end Cofie tries his luck from range after joining a counter attack, but his scuffed effort is well wide of the far post.
Roma press the visitors deep into their own half but are let down by succession of poor final passes, with Osvaldo and Pjanic both guilty of wasteful efforts. Chievo launch a quick counter down the left wing through Stoian, who beats two defenders before his cutback is blocked by an important covering tackle from Castan.
YELLOW CARD! The home side come forward again as Totti starts an attack from deep, with Osvaldo's flick pass towards Dodo cleared by Andreolli. A really disappointing start for the home side this as Piris concedes a cheap free kick for a cynical foul on Drame, with the full-back booked for persistent fouling even at this early stage.
Corini's compact side subdue another cross from Totti as Pjanic is beaten to the ball by Papp. Piris tries to atone for his early booking by winning a corner kick, but once again the five-man defence holds firm for the Flying Donkeys.
Neat passing from Totti and Piris wins another corner kick down the far side, with Chievo again pushing out quickly to stop a looping cross from Pjanic from harming their resolute defence. The visitors look particularly adept at defending from deep, but have offered little in the final third so far tonight.
Luciano leads a fast break for Chievo as he charges down the right wing, but his short cross to Stoian is read and cleared by a stooping low header from Castan. At the other end Osvaldo tries to meet a pass across the defence from Dodo but his run behind the back five is late and sees the forward easily caught offside.
YELLOW CARD! Luciano triggers an automatic one-match suspension after bringing down Totti around 25 yards from goal with a cynical foul. More importantly for Roma they have a free kick in a dangerous position, but Pjanic's looping cross is once again cleared with minimum fuss.
CHANCE! Finally Roma are able to create a meaningful chance in the final third, but Osvaldo is unable to take advantage. The forward was picked out in space eight yards from goal by Piris but a low, forceful effort towards goal is too central and well held by a smart stop from Puggioni.
De Rossi switches the play out left to Dodo with a clever curling pass, but his touch inside for Totti is quickly charged down by the visitors. They use the chance to surge forwards in numbers, but Thereau's hesitation in the final third means Chievo eventually settle for a rare corner kick.
Marquinhos heads the corner kick clear for Roma, who then charge into the final third at the other end through Dodo. The Brazilian's pacy burst is halted in the penalty area but appeals for a spot kick from the full-back are quickly waved away.
De Rossi starts another Roma attack as he finds Totti just outside the penalty area. The veteran's chipped cross into the penalty area looks promising but is cut out by a powerful header into touch from Andreolli.
YELLOW CARD! Former Roma striker Stoian picks up Chievo's third booking of the first half after sliding in with studs showing on Marquinhos near the halfway line. The home side waste no time in charging forward once more as Drame's late header just stops Destro making contact with a cross at the far post.
YELLOW CARD! Papp quickly registers Chievo's fourth caution for a challenge from behind on Osvaldo around 25 yards from goal. Totti stands over the free kick and smashes straight to Puggioni with a forceful drive as Chievo eventually scramble clear the rebound.
HALF-TIME Roma 0-0 Chievo
A frustrating 45 minutes for Roma draws to a close with the score still deadlocked. Chievo have as expected defended stubbornly and look happy to play for a battling point at the Olimpico tonight.
Roma have struggled to unlock a five-man away defence that looks compact, choosing to clear danger and ask questions later. Osvaldo has spurned the home side's only clear-cut opportunity of the first period, with Totti and Destro struggling to make their mark this evening.
Chievo look a well-drilled outfit capable of stifling the best sides in Serie A on this evidence. At the other end Thereau and Stoian look isolated in attack, with only the creative support of Luciano on fleeting occasions for the visitors.
Andreazzoli has options on the bench if he wants to spark his side to life after the break, most notably through skillful forward Lamela. Michael Bradley could also pick out a key pass against his former club, while Torosidis has the pace to create space out wide with forward runs from deep.
A reminder that AC Milan's place in next season's Champions League will be confirmed by anything other than three points for Roma tonight. More importantly for the visitors a win would ensure they keep fifth place until the weekend, with the challenge of Udinese looming large in the race for Europa League qualification.
Both sides are back at the Olmpico, with a stern-faced Andreazzoli sending his side out in search of an opening goal. Osvaldo is a striker with four goals in his last two games and desperately needs more quality, consistent service into the final third when play resumes.
Chievo get the second period underway as Luciano and Cofie keep possession with a pair of passes in midfield. A superb pass forward the out side of Hetemaj's boot has the visitors seemingly through on goal, but Thereau is unable to make contact the near post. Luciano recycles possession and finds Stoian, who drives well wide from a tight angle.
SHOT! Osavaldo comes close to picking out a forward run from Totti at the other end as the second half starts with an open feel in both boxes. Destro picks up the pieces and turns inside two defenders with a clever touch, but a low central shot lacks power and is caught comfortably by Puggioni.
De Rossi finds Totti in space out wide as the veteran sends a curling cross into the six-yard box. His effort just lacks the power to find either Osvaldo or Destro at the far post, with Puggioni catching under pressure to keep his clean sheet intact.
OFF THE BAR! Roma close within inches of taking the lead as Totti' deflected drive hangs in the air for an age before bouncing behind off the crossbar. From the resulting corner kick Pjanic finds Destro with a curling cross, but the forward's powerful header is parried clear by an important save from Puggioni. Desperate defending but Chievo are still level at the Olimpico.
SUBSTITUTION: Andreazzoli makes a change early in the second half as Piris is replaced by creative midfielder Alessandro Florenzi. His introduction will see the home side change shape as Florenzi is given license to roam forward in the channels.
Totti is adamant Roma should have a penalty kick as he tumbles over under a push from Dainelli. The defender certainly failed to play the ball with a clumsy aerial challenge, but the referee refuses fierce protests from the Giallorossi skipper as Osvaldo wins a corner kick out wide.
Chievo are really struggling to clear their lines as a five-man rearguard drops deeper towards its own penalty area. Papp puts the visitors under further pressure as he concedes a free kick just outside the penalty area after charging into Destro with a clumsy late challenge.
Pjanic takes the free kick 20 yards from goal and neglects a packed penalty area to fire wide of the near post, much to Osvaldo's visible disappointment. Serie A's top scorers this season with 60 goals definitely look frustrated as Hetemaj concedes free kick as he is harshly judged to have fouled Totti.
Dodo drives forward to chase a loose pass but slips near the corner flag as Chievo regroup to clear their lines, with Destro conceding a needless free kick. A very poor pass from Pjanic in search of Osvaldo stops the home side profiting in the final third once as frustration begins to boil over at the Olimpico.
CHANCE! A pacy forward burst from Dodo sees the Brazilian drive into the penalty area to receive a pass inside from Destro. With the goal at his mercy a superb covering block from Andreolli diverts a central strike wide as Chievo defend their goal bravely once more.
SUBSTITUTION: Chievo make their first change of the evening as Frey is replaced by right wing-back Sardo, who will provide fresh legs in an effort to stop the pace of Dodo out wide.
SUBSTITUTION: The visitors enjoy a welcome breather as De Rossi brings down Hetemaj on the halfway line. Meanwhile Roma make a positive change in search of an elusive opening goal, with Lamela comes on for Pjanic.
SUBSTITUTION: The changes continue to come thick and fast as Seymour replaces Luciano in central midfield for Chievo. Roma attempt to charge down the left when play resumes, but a diagonal pass in search of Dodo is misplaced and trickles aimlessly wide for a goal kick.
Florenzi chases down a loose pass inside the final third to keep a Roma attack alive, but Chievo read De Rossi's looping pass towards Lamela and clear their lines through Papp. The visitors then seize a poor switch from De Rossi through Thereau, but the lone striker is eventually crowded out by three home defenders.
SUBSTITUTION: Roma make their final change of the evening as the largely disappointing Destro is replaced by Bradley. His introduction will see Lamela pushed forward as Roma use three central strikers in the closing stages, with Florenzi moved to the right flank.
Dodo is caught napping for Roma as Burdisso is forced into rare action to stop Chievo sweeping forward on the break. Bradley's first involvement is a poor one as he plays a simple pass across field out for a throw in, much to the frustration of a subdued home support.
SUBSTITUTION: Drame is penalised for handball in a late call from the referee, with Chievo using the break in play to swap Stoian for Vacek. Roma send another poor cross into the penalty area from the free kick as Totti's delivery is headed clear of danger by Thereau.
Dodo wins yet another corner kick for the hosts, but Totti's delivery towards Osvaldo at the near post is headed clear with relative ease. Roma have struggled desperately for a creative spark in the final third as Hetemaj takes advantage of a mix-up between Totti and Bradley to launch a rare Chievo counter. Vacek finds space for the visitors at the far post but his shot is quickly charged down by a covering tackle from Marquinhos.
Marquinhos is quickly pressed back into action as he flicks a cross from Thereau clear in the six-yard box, with the match becoming stretched in the final few minutes. At the other end Castan's flick towards the far post meets a clever run from Florenzi, but his volley flies well over the crossbar from close range as technique lets the substitute down.
GOAL! Roma 0-1 Chievo (Thereau)
In stoppage time we have a breakthrough at the Olimpico, but not at the end you might think. Chievo rob possession from Bradley and break with purpose on the counter through Drame. His curling cross into the penalty area is precise and picks out Thereau at the far post, with the forward making no mistake for his eighth goal of the campaign. Roma are stunned after being caught cold on the counter!
The home side desperately search for a late reply but in what has been the story of their night a cross into the penalty are lacks direction or power from Dodo. After stubborn, resolute defending for 89 minutes Chievo look to have snatched a famous victory.
FULL-TIME Roma 0-1 Chievo
A quite remarkable result give the pattern of play has seen Roma lose their unbeaten home record under Andreazzoli at the hands of Chievo. A clinical late strike from Thereau has secured another season in Serie A for the Flying Donkeys and severely dented the Giallorossi's hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Well that just about does it for Sports Mole's live coverage from the Olimpico as Chievo steal a famous three points at the expense of Roma. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check back in for complete coverage of a midweek calendar from Serie A tomorrow evening. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
