Scorer: Pellissier 15 (C), Tiribocchi 20 (C), Montella 34, 52 (R)
Stadio Bentegodi

Vincenzo Montella struck twice - one a truly spectacular bicycle-kick - as Roma recovered from 2-0 down to earn a point against Gigi Del Neri's old club.

Del Neri returned to face his former club for the first time since leaving for Porto in the summer. Roma were still reeling from the row with a small group of supporters that prompted Francesco Totti to issue his latest quit threats, while Christian Panucci, Simone Perrotta and Vincent Candela were sidelined.

Chievo had even worse problems with a string of dismal results and a trio of suspended stars, Daniele Franceschini, Amauri and Matteo Brighi, while Federico Cossato is injured, so Coach Mario Beretta moved Salvatore Lanna up to a midfield role.

Totti wanted to answer his critics and poured his rage into a free kick which skimmed the crossbar with great power.

Luca Marchegiani performed a fine save on Antonio Cassano and saw Vincenzo Montella tap in the loose ball, but their efforts were all in vain as Cassano was quite clearly standing in an offside position.

However, it was Chievo who took a surprise lead after 15 minutes. The Roma defence was at fault, particularly Philippe Mexes, as Sergio Pellissier was allowed to latch on to Roberto Baronio's long pass and place his finish past Ivan Pelizzoli.

The defence was again a shambles five minutes later when Simone Tiribocchi was given all the time in the world to chest down Pellissier's cross and fired it in from eight yards as Matteo Ferrari was caught ball-watching.

Cassano touched on Totti's cross and Montella was just unable to get the final touch from close range, but Chievo were running riot and Pellissier ran past Pelizzoli, but the angle was too narrow and the ball trickled wide of an empty net.

Roma got back into the game soon after, as Totti's cross was tapped in by Montella at the far post at the end of a fine team move started by Under-21 international Alberto Aquilani.

John Mensah's crucial intervention prevented Montella from scoring and another effort went off target.

Pelizzoli has been criticised of late, but he saved Roma in first half stoppages with a stunning save. Franco Semioli's shot from the edge of the box took a massive deflection off Tiribocchi and the goalkeeper readjusted his position at the last moment.

At the start of the second half Totti's set-piece was deflected just wide by the defensive wall, but Roma drew level on 52 minutes with a magnificent goal. Totti's cross came in and Vincenzo Montella secured his Capocannoniere status with a perfect bicycle-kick.

Totti's missile of a free kick stung Marchegiani's palms, then Salvatore Lanna's counter-attack was charged down by Traianos Dellas, while Cassano sprung the offside trap on Totti's pass and aimed a weak finish straight at the goalkeeper.

Roma really should have taken the lead on 71 minutes when a marvellous Totti solo run sent Montella alone into the box, but he incredibly drilled wide of the target with only Marchegiani to beat.

Cassano wasted another golden opportunity for the Giallorossi's third soon after, as the final stages were a siege on Marchegiani's net. Yet the home side could have sneaked a win with Pellissier's counter-attack, but there was nobody to support his run.

Chievo: Marchegiani; Moro, D'Anna, Mandelli, Mensah; Lanna, Pellissier, Baronio (Malago' 76), Sammarco; Semioli, Tiribocchi (Luciano 66)

Roma: Pelizzoli; Mexes, Dellas, Ferrari; Mancini, Aquilani (Agostino 87), De Rossi (Dacourt 76), Cufre; Totti, Montella, Cassano

Ref: Morganti
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