Opinion: After disappointment at home, attention turns to Europe

Heading into the game on a four match winning streak, having scored 14 and conceded only one in that stretch, the Giallorossi were expected to extend their record against Leonardo Semplici's struggling outfit. But it wasn't to be, as they didn't take their chances and were made to pay for it by their opponents.

Not at their best after the international break, with some players missing and others rested to stay fresh for the crowded schedule Roma have in front of them, they lacked their typical spirit and effectiveness. When speaking after the match, Eusebio Di Francesco was particularly annoyed at their inability to respond to the adversity of going behind. "We must be able to react," he lamented. "Perhaps we're not able to perform at our best when we run into difficulties, or maybe we don't try hard enough, but that mustn't happen, especially with the quality footballers we have here.

“We didn't manage the second half well. [Edin] Dzeko had a great chance and then we conceded again – that takes the wind out of your sails but you have to carry on playing and show you're able to come back from it. The team must be capable of doing that. Last year we did it really well.”

Attention will now quickly turn to their crucial home Champions League fixture with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, though, where the team will get the perfect opportunity to atone for the SPAL defeat at the Olimpico, a venue where Roma have looked particularly impressive in the Champions League under Di Francesco.

Sitting third in the Russian Premier League and having beaten Real Madrid in their most recent UCL clash, CSKA will definitely pose a stern test to Roma. Possessing plenty of quality in their ranks including Fedor Chalov, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Fernandes, Alan Dzagoev, Ilzat Akhmetov and Rodrigo Becao, they boast a nice blend of youth and experience just like Roma.

Di Francesco's men will need to be especially wary of dynamic attacking duo, Fedor Chalov and Nikola Vlasic; the former has scored an impressive nine goals in 14 matches this term, while the latter has averaged 1.7 key passes per game, registered four goals and two assists, including the winner versus Madrid.

Seeing as Real Madrid face two games with Viktoria Plzen that they'll almost certainly win, Roma's upcoming double header with CSKA, who currently lead the group, will be pivotal in determining which of the two sides will progress into the Round of 16.