Roma have lost further ground in the Serie A title race after being held to a 1-1 draw by Hellas Verona this afternoon.

The visitors started strongly and Radja Nainggolan saw his fierce attempt tipped behind by Francesco Benussi.

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Adem Ljajic was next to threaten for the Giallorossi, but his low strike was comfortably gathered by the keeper.

Rudi Garcia's side continued to create the better openings and Kostas Manolas wasted a huge chance to score when he headed just wide from a corner.

Roma were in complete control and it was no surprise when Francesco Totti rifled a strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards out to finally give them the lead.

Verona responded well to that setback and equalised 12 minutes later when Bosko Jankovic's header from a corner took a slight deflection off Seydou Keita and found the back of the net.

In first-half stoppage time, Roma almost regained their lead, but Ljajic saw his ferocious free kick come back off the bar.

After the break, Nainggolan had a shot saved, before Emil Hallfredsson saw his close-range attempt blocked on the line by Miralem Pjanic at the other end.

The dangerous Nainggolan threatened with another strike from range soon after, but Benussi was there to make the stop once again.

Benussi was one of the main reasons why Roma were unable to find a second goal as the game finished in a draw, leaving the Giallorossi nine points adrift of league leaders Juventus in the table.