Scorers: Zampagna 12 (M), Parisi 31 (M), Totti 56 (R), Cassano 60 (R), Mancini 82 (R)

Roma completed a spectacular comeback from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Messina 3-2.

Messina made quite a splash just after their promotion when they beat Roma 4-3 in Week 2, a game in which Vincenzo Montella bagged a hat-trick and still found himself on the losing side. The Sicilians had a major slump, but are back on track with three wins in their last four games.

Rudi Voller was still on the bench when the Giallorossi lost that tie and Gigi Del Neri has made sweeping changes, though the defence still looks vulnerable. It was a bizarre encounter for Gaetano D'Agostino, who will join opponents Messina on loan from Monday, and lifelong Roma supporter Marco Storari.

Carlo Zotti was surprisingly chosen to start between the posts and was called into the first save of the game on a long-range Coppola effort.

Messina were more determined and took the lead with a stunning strike from Riccardo Zampagna. The midfielder volleyed in an Iliev cross from eight yards. Zampagna had also netted in the 4-3 thriller in Week 2.

Montella saw a spectacular volley closed down from close range, but it wouldn't have counted anyway as the whistle had been blown for offside.

Francesco Totti's free kick took a touch off Philippe Mexes and Storari managed to punch it out. The tension was high at the Olimpico and Cassano had a furious row with teammate Leandro Cufre' following an error.

One hates to think what Cassano said to goalkeeper Carlo Zotti, as Messina's second goal was certainly his fault. The shot-stopper was well off his line and covering the far post, so Alessandro Parisi saw his moment and fired a long-range strike at the near post from all of 30 metres.

Rehman Rezaei got away with a push on Montella that could easily have led to a penalty, while Zotti flew to palm another Parisi piledriver over the bar.

Roma were extremely sluggish and didn't test Storari once in the first half, so Gigi Del Neri introduced Christian Panucci and Amantino Mancini.

The Capital club was piling on the pressure and eventually pulled one back after 55 minutes. Cassano fought off three defenders to get the cross in to Montella and he hooked it down for Totti's low finish.

Roma fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Chievo a fortnight ago and completed the trick at the Stadio Olimpico. This time Totti turned provider for Cassano's angled strike on the bounce.

Now the momentum was with the Giallorossi and Storari was at full stretch to tip a fantastic long-range missile from Daniele De Rossi over the bar.

Mancini's solo effort was smothered at the near post, then Cassano sprung the offside trap and saw his shot trapped in Storari's legs. The goalkeeper then performed another stunning reaction save on Mancini as Messina were squeezed back into their own half.

The Sicilians struck on the counter-attack and hit the back of the net with Donati, but the goal was disallowed for Nicola Amoruso's push Mexes.

It proved a key decision, as moments later Mancini dribbled past three defenders inside the box to place his finish between Storari and the near post, tying the Messina players in knots.

Roma: Zotti; Ferrari (Panucci 46), Dellas, Mexes; Cufre, Aquilani (Mancini 46), Dacourt, De Rossi; Totti, Cassano, Montella

Messina: Storari; Zoro, Aronica, Rezaei, Parisi; Giampa' (Cristante 64), Coppola, Donati, Zanchi (Sullo 45); Iliev, Zampagna (Amoruso 72)

Ref: Pieri