Roma had to come from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Udinese at Stadio Olimpico in Serie A this evening, all but securing qualification for the Champions League next season.
Roma made the better start with Victor Ibarbo and Juan Iturbe both making runs into the box in the opening 10 minutes, but neither were able to create a goal for the home side.
Udinese started to see more of the ball midway through the first half though, resulting in Silvan Widmer forcing a save, only for the rebound to drop kindly for Stipe Perica, leaving the on-loan youngster to rifle home his first Serie A goal.
Francesco Totti tried to get Roma back on level terms almost straight away as he curled in a free kick from 25 yards out, but Orestis Karnezis made the save, while Daniele de Rossi fired wide a few moments later.
Roma continued to push to get back on level terms as the interval approached, but the visitors almost extended their lead when Widmer tried to set up Perica again, but the striker could not get his header on target from just a couple of yards out.
The hosts were level again before the break, though, as Totti provided a cross for Radja Nainggolan just seconds before the half-time whistle, leaving him to take a touch before lashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Udinese had just enough time to rattle the woodwork in the final seconds of the first half as Guilherme went for goal from a free kick, but his dipping effort struck the crossbar.
Roma dominated possession at the start of the second half as they looked to take the lead for the first time, but Morgan de Sanctis came under pressure when Cyril Thereau made a run on the counter-attack, forcing the home keeper to rush out for the save.
Roma soon started to apply the pressure down the other end though, and took the lead for the first time inside the last 30 minutes when a poor clearance from a corner left Vassilios Torosidis to slot the ball into the back of the net with a calm finish from near the penalty spot.
Nainggolan had a chance to put the win beyond doubt late on when he was picked out by Jose Holebas, leaving him with only the keeper to beat, but his powerful finish came back off the foot of the left upright.
The woodwork kept Udinese in contention again a few minutes later as Holebas took the shot on himself this time, but his sliced finish struck the crossbar.
The visitors did not give up, piling forward as the match headed into stoppage time in a bid to find a late equaliser, but they were unable to test De Sanctis again in the final moments.
The result moves Roma back up to second in the table, seven points clear of fourth-placed Napoli, who still have three fixtures to play.
Sian Cowper
