Radja Nainggolan punished Milan for missing a first-half penalty by firing Roma to a 1-0 Serie A victory at the Stadio Olimpico last night.

The Rossoneri had an opportunity to forge ahead when Gianluca Lapadula was fouled in the hosts’ box, but M’Baye Niang could not find the back of the net from 12 yards.

With both Scudetto-chasing sides failing to take control of this shoot-out for outright control of second place, the inspirational Nainggolan stepped up to the plate with a winning goal from the distance.

Roma are now four points behind league leaders Juventus, who they visit on Saturday.

Earlier, two classy goals from Nikola Kalinic helped Fiorentina beat Sassuolo 2-1 and reach seventh place.

The former Blackburn striker hooked Josip Ilicic’s lofted pass beyond Neroverdi goalkeeper Andrea Consigli in the ninth minute at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Then, five minutes before the break, Kalinic directed a deft back-heel from Federico Chiesa’s cross into the bottom corner to seal Fiorentina’s victory.

Sassuolo’s Francesco Acerbi slashed the deficit with a scruffy finish but Eusebio Di Francesco’s men had already been condemned to a fifth defeat in seven outings.