AS Roma 1 - 1 Hellas Verona: Luciano Spalletti frustrated by Hellas Verona on return to Roma dugout

Posted Monday, January 18, 2016 by PA

Luciano Spalletti was denied victory on his return to the Roma dugout as Hellas Verona forced a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

After a seven-year absence from the capital, Spalletti has replaced Rudi Garcia as Giallorossi boss and Radja Nainggolan gave him some early cause to be cheerful with a 41st-minute opener.

Giampaolo Pazzini's penalty on the hour mark then secured a deserved share of the points for Hellas, who remain rooted to the foot of Serie A, 12 points adrift of safety.

Spalletti's first ever league game in charge of Roma saw the Giallorossi beat Reggina 3-0 in August 2005, but Verona were determined to avoid similar treatment.

The basement boys might even have scored twice in the first half, with Pawel Wszolek twice giving his fellow Pole Wojciech Szczesny food for thought.

Regardless, Nainggolan opened the scoring with the first goal of the second Spalletti era.

Four minutes before the break the Belgian midfielder collected Daniele De Rossi's backheeled pass before beating Pierluigi Gollini in a one-on-one.

Verona returned to the Olimpico pitch in stubborn mood and Artur Ionita was denied by Szczesny before new signing Ante Rebic unleashed a right-footed drive that just missed the mark.

The Gialloblu were handed the chance to level when Leandro Castan fouled Wszolek in the box and veteran striker Pazzini gladly fired the penalty under the crossbar.

Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko might have grabbed a winner for Roma when he raced on to Miralem Pjanic's pass in the 76th minute but, with Gollini stranded, he blasted the ball well over.