A goal from Nicolas Burdisso early in the second half and a late Matteo Brighi strike in stoppage time were more than enough for Roma to beat a very defensive Parma at the Stadio Olimpico.

In a very cold afternoon, the match started at a very slow pace as neither side were able to stamp their authority over the other. The visitors were closing spaces really well, which originated protests from Francesco Totti following a number of harsh challenges in succession.

Roma looked more dangerous and clearly more eager to break the deadlock, but they kept finding it very hard to break into the Parma third, as their first real chance came in the 36th minute, when Mirko Vucinic cut inside the box and smashed a shot on the bounce that went slightly wide.

The hosts began the second half the better, and took the lead on 48 minutes, through Nicolas Burdisso, who scored from close range in the rebound.

The goal proved to be a major boost for Roma, who almost doubled their lead just minutes later and Totti went for glory from distance but Antonio Mirante denied the captain’s effort.

Parma attempted to respond in the following minutes, but their attempts were met by a well-organised Roma backline. In the 88th minute, the Ducali were reduced to ten men after Massimo Paci was shown his second yellow.

Roma would add a second in the dying minutes through Matteo Brighi, who received a magical through ball from Vucinic and, clear on goal, made no mistake and sent the ball past Mirante.