Verona dent Roma hopes with draw

Versatile right-back Alessandro Florenzi struck a second-half leveller in a 1-1 draw at Verona as Roma kicked off their bid for the Serie A title in unconvincing fashion on Saturday.

Verona are notoriously tough to beat at their Bentegodi Stadium and Bosko Jankovic gave Andra Mandorlini's side the lead on the hour after collecting from Emil Halfredsson to beat Wojciech Szczesny in the Roma goal from yards out.

Florenzi levelled just five minutes later when he beat Rafael with a drive from outside the area, and the visitors went on to create a handful of chances in the closing period only to settle for a draw.

Roma had signed Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah on loan in the close season but Dzeko headed over a late corner and further chances from Miralem Pjanic and Radja Nainggolan went amiss.

The draw ended Roma's hopes of starting the season with a bang as they did two years ago when they set a Serie A record of 10 opening wins.

Coach Rudi Garcia had reiterated his desire for a repeat of that impressive run of victories, but admitted Verona had been tough to break down.

"We tried to spread Verona out as much as possible but they are a tough team to break down at home," said the Frenchman.

"But I'm happy with the positive attitude of the players. We gave it everything but couldn't get the three points in the end."

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

Juventus, league and Cup double winners last season and beaten Champions League finalists against Barcelona, host Udinese on Sunday.
Source: AFP