Roma 2 : 2 Parma - Amauri at the double as Parma snatch draw

Posted Sunday, February 27, 2011 by PA

Parma striker Carvalho Amauri scored twice in the second half as Roma threw away another lead to draw 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Francesco Totti converted from the penalty spot in the 19th minute and his Roma team-mate Juan made it 2-0 before half-time.

Amauri then reduced the deficit in the 74th minute before adding his second five minutes later.

Parma had Massimo Paci sent off for a second bookable offence with 10 minutes to go but held on for a deserved point.

The result has left Roma in sixth place, five points behind city rivals Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot but lost 1-0 at Cagliari.

Parma, meanwhile, are 16th, three points clear of the drop zone.

Roma had blown a 3-0 advantage and lost 4-3 at Genoa seven days ago, a result that led to Claudio Ranieri stepping down as coach and being replaced by Vincenzo Montella.

The new boss, who presided over a midweek victory at Bologna, dropped Marco Borriello to the bench and gave Totti a start alongside Mirko Vucinic up front.

Roma dominated possession and Totti capitalised when the referee pointed to the spot after Alessandro Lucarelli brought down Roma's Rodrigo Taddei inside the area.

Totti coolly struck towards the near post to beat Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante.

Roma added their second in the 36th minute. Mirante was unable to hold on to Daniele De Rossi's effort and Juan tapped the ball in.

The hosts suffered a setback on the stroke of half-time with David Pizarro stretchered off after sustaining a right knee injury.

The visitors showed more determination after the re-start and Antonio Candreva should have done better but his diagonal shot from Francesco Valiani's pass did not trouble Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni.

In the 65th minute, Totti forced Mirante to fully stretch to clear his right-footed strike from 30 yards.

Parma could have reduced the deficit with 21 minutes left to play but an unmarked Amauri headed off target from Cristian Zaccardo's cross.

Amauri made amends shortly after when he got behind Francesco Valiani's cross and fired past Doni from the heart of the area.

The Parma striker then silenced the home crowd with his equaliser. Roma failed to clear the ball inside the area and Amauri pounced, firing a left-footed shot past Doni.