| Amantino Mancini's brace ensured Roma saw off Lecce, although Alex Pinardi did miss a penalty for the visitors. Both sides were desperate for points, as the Giallorossi were chasing a Champions League spot and Lecce hoped for a near-miraculous comeback from the brink of relegation. Last week's shock win over Milan was their second on the trot, so Franco Paleari's men were getting into the mood for causing upsets. This club had a history of that at the Olimpico, where a 3-2 victory in 1986 effectively lost Roma the Scudetto.
Lecce had a courageous start and Marco Cassetti drilled over the bar, while Christian Panucci's fine volley was smothered by Vincenzo Sicignano.
An Alberto Aquilani screamer from the edge of the box whistled wide of the far post, as it remained a very open and entertaining game.
Panucci's splendid work left three defenders behind on the right flank and he crossed in for Leandro Cufre, who was hauled down by Cassetti for a penalty. Amantino Mancini converted, even if goalkeeper Sicignano got a hand to it.
The Giallorossi doubled their lead soon after with a goal from Cristian Chivu, whose diving header at the near post turned in Mancini's corner kick.
Aleandro Rosi thought he'd made the most of a Sicignano error, but Suleymane Diamoutene got back in time for a goalline clearance.
Lecce were in shock and lost Cristian Ledesma to a muscular problem, replacing him with Alfonso Camorani. Axel Konan had a goal disallowed for an offside position.
The referee pointed to the spot again before the break, as Panucci was judged to have pushed Mirko Vucinic inside the area. It was a bit of a soft penalty and Panucci was vindicated when Alex Pinardi aimed a weak spot-kick wide of the target.
A spectacular Del Vecchio volley skimmed the upright, then Lorenzo Stovini performed a crucial tackle on Rodrigo Taddei.
Amantino Mancini made the result safe when he ran on to Damiano Tommasi's through ball, waltzed round the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty net.
Lecce got a consolation goal in the final seconds of the match, as Del Vecchio sprung the offside trap for a looping header on Vucinic's cross.
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