Stalemate all but ends Roma's hopes

Roma's hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season all but mathematically died following a 0-0 draw at Chievo in sopping wet conditions. Roma trail the four teams level on 55 points in the tight battle for third place by three points, although they have only two games left now, one less than their rivals. To finish third they would need to win their last two matches and hope that none of Napoli, Lazio, Inter Milan or Udinese take more than three points from three games. And in fairness they were lucky to come away from Verona with a point in a match made hugely difficult by wet conditions that affected the way the ball rolled and bounced. Chievo had much the better of the chances and Roma barely troubled home goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino. American international Michael Bradley put Alberto Paloschi in behind the Roma backline but Gianluca Curci saved his left-footed shot. Finland midfielder Perparim Hetemaj was then put clean through by Rinaldo Cruzado. He tried to dink the ball over Curci but the pitch contributed in him failing to get the ball off the ground and the goalkeeper saved easily. Top scorer Sergio Pellissier was next to have a sight of goal but his shot was blocked by a sliding Simon Kjaer. The hosts continued to be the more likely to create a chance after the break and Hetemaj curled a shot just past the post. Roma substitute Simone Perrotta almost caught out Sorrentino with a looping header that beat the keeper but not the post. But that was as close as either side got in a thoroughly forgettable spectacle.