Roma held by Udinese

Roma lost David Pizarro to injury and had fellow midfielder Daniele De Rossi sent off in a 1-1 home draw with Udinese today.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti was hoping for a 50th birthday present against his former club but instead his side wasted a number of chances to win and move up to fourth in Serie A.

Felipe put mid-table Udinese in front on 54 minutes when the Brazilian defender headed in Antonio Di Natale's cross following a poor punch from Roma keeper Doni.

Roma, lucky not to concede a penalty when Philippe Mexes handled, equalised through substitute Mirko Vucinic's strong finish before De Rossi was dismissed for dissent.

Pizarro was in distress when he left the field with a leg injury in the first half and is a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Arsenal, where De Rossi will already be missing through suspension. Francesco Totti sat out the game in a bid to shrug off a knee problem in time to face Arsenal, who hold a 1-0 advantage.

Serie A leaders Inter visit Genoa later today with second-placed Juventus also playing derby rivals Torino.