Roma 1-1 Sassuolo: Match report, reaction and key statistics

The Giallorossi took the lead in the first half through Lorenzo Pellegrini, grabbing his second career goal for Roma and his first against his old club. But midfielder Simone Missiroli equalised in the second half against the run of play, and the home side - as close as they came - could not find a winner.

Twice Eusebio Di Francesco's side had goals subsequently disallowed by VAR. Firstly Edin Dzeko was adjudged to have been marginally offside before he lashed home inside the area.

Then, in the dying stages of the match, Alessando Florenzi - on his 200th appearance for the club - thought he had decided matters, only for the referee to controversially rule the goal out after watching replays - apparently having adjudged Cengiz Under to have come from an offside position to influence the play.

The decision was not welcomed inside the Olimpico and, after the celebrations moments before, seemed to knock the wind from the Giallorossi as the game ended in a draw.

Team selection

Lorenzo Pellegrini started against his former club, as Alessandro Florenzi made his 200th appearance in all competitions for the Giallorossi.

Elsewhere it was Edin Dzeko in attack alongside Diego Perotti and Patrik Schick.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

1' - Early chance for Dzeko, who volleys wide from a tough angle after Pellegrini puts a hanging ball into the box.

9' - Dzeko goes down but the foul isn't awarded. Sassuolo counter quickly, Politano cuts inside onto his left but the shot is saved by Alisson.

10' - Alisson makes a fine one-handed stop to deny Politano again.

24' - Perotti and Kolarov combine nicely down the left - the latter man puts in a low ball into the box, but Schick cannot quite steer a shot on target.

31' - GOAL! ROMA LEAD! Perotti cuts inside and rolls the ball into the box - eventually Dzeko collects it and squares to Pellegrini who slots home clinically! 1-0!

37' - Another good save from Alisson, this time to prevent Ragusa finishing off a quick Sassuolo counter-attack.

44' - Kolarov bursts into the box and unleashes a powerful drive... but he can't keep his attempt on target.

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

56' - Radja slaloms through the defence before hitting a left-footed drive that Consigli does well to tip wide!

64' - Decent combination play from Florenzi and El Shaarawy opens up the shooting opportunity for the substitute, but he is off balance and fires wide on the volley.

66' - SAVE! Glorious chance for Roma, as Kolarov gets into the box and cuts the ball back for El Shaarawy. The forward's attempt looks dangerous but Consigli makes the stop with his legs!

72' - Goa.... NO! Dzeko gathers the ball and lashes home emphatically from just inside the box - but the flag is up! The referee goes to VAR... which confirms the decision.

78' - Goal. Sassuolo level. The cross from Peluso is met by Missiroli who heads home. 1-1.

86' - Goa.... no! Florenzi thinks he's won it with a brilliant chipped finish, but the referee refers to VAR... and rules it out after watching the reply as Cengiz appears to come from an offside position to influence the play...

90'+2 - Florenzi controls and shoots but cannot direct his half-volley on target.

90'+3 - Fazio smashes over from just inside the box.

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

"We have to throw our hands up. We didn’t manage the lead well, though we were better in the second half than we were in the first. We could have had the match sewn up. Our decision-making was under par when it came to the final call. We made too many mistakes in the first half, given the technical standard we have. A team that wants to go to the next level can’t afford to do that."

- Eusebio Di Francesco

What's next?

The Giallorossi are back at the Olimpico on Saturday, as they kick off 2018 with another home game - this time against Atalanta.

ROMA 1-1 SASSUOLO

Goalscorers: Pellegrini (31'); Missiroli (78')

Roma: Alisson; Florenzi, Manolas (J. Jesus), Fazio, Kolarov; De Rossi, Nainggolan, Pellegrini (Cengiz); Perotti, Dzeko, Schick (El Shaarawy).

Sassuolo: Consigli; Lirola, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Peluso; Missiroli, Magnanelli, Duncan; Politano, Falcinelli, Ragusa