| Marco Cassetti's thunderbolt and a lucky last-gasp David Pizarro strike gave Roma a 2-2 draw with Sporting that puts them on track for qualification. The Giallorossi were without Alberto Aquilani, Christian Panucci, Rodrigo Taddei and Francesco Totti, the captain still out due to an ankle injury he sustained in the first leg of this clash, which Roma won 2-1 at the Olimpico. Marco Cassetti was given a more advanced role in a solid midfield with David Pizarro also pushing up to support Mirko Vucinic. However, Luciano Spalletti had to change his mind as Max Tonetto picked up an injury in the warm-up, making way for Ludovic Giuly. These two sides were going head-to-head for the second qualifying spot behind Manchester United and a victory here would send Spalletti's men six points clear of third place. A defeat would pull the Portuguese level with the Italians. Roma opened the scoring with a truly spectacular individual effort from Marco Cassetti. He exchanged passes with Amantino Mancini on the edge of the area, ran towards the D to find space and unleashed a fierce right-foot strike that curled into the top corner. There was a real scare on 13 minutes, though, as Doni was surprised by a long-range Abel effort and when Liedson pounced on the rebound, the linesman disallowed the goal as he had kicked it out of the goalkeeper's hands. Sporting increased the pressure and a corner looped into the air for Anderson Polga's splendid right-foot volley inches over the bar. It paid off when Liedson managed to draw Lisbon level. It was a defensive error as Philippe Mexes came sliding in to anticipate Liedson, but instead clattered into his own goalkeeper and left an open goal for the Brazilian to waltz into. Yannick Djalo looped a good headed opportunity over the bar and Doni was secure on Miguel Veloso's attempt as Roma were pinned back into their own half. Polga again fired off target, but Simone Perrotta broke the siege with a right-foot drive that skimmed the frame of the goal. Doni comfortably held Marat Izmailov's effort and Joao Moutinho failed to make the most of a Cassetti defensive error. Roma could have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time, as Amantino Mancini went on a splendid solo run only for David Pizarro to horribly scuff the finish from the edge of the box. Liedson struck the side-netting and Moutinho also skimmed the target. Mexes was substituted by Matteo Ferrari at half-time, perhaps because the Frenchman got a knock during that clash with Doni. Moutinho picked up where he left off, by firing over the bar, and Veloso was off target after shaking off Perrotta. Mancini's inspired backheel sent Daniele De Rossi clear to drill wide with his right foot, then the home-grown midfielder also blasted a free kick high. Sporting had the better of the overall play and deservedly took the lead on 64 minutes. Liedson completed his brace as he got a diving header to the end of Izmailov's cross from a corner kick, but once again Roma's defence was at fault and left the scorer unmarked from six yards. De Rossi nodded over and the Giallorossi tried to get back into it, but Mancini skipped past his marker only to drill an angled drive past the far post. Cicinho blasted a piledriver over from long range and Mancini had penalty appeals waved away, as he let himself fall too easily. The game seemed to be stretching towards the final whistle, but Roma snatched an unexpected and fortunate equaliser in the final minute. A free kick was rolled across to Pizarro for a fierce strike that took two deflections on its way past a helpless Tiago.
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