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Shabani Nonda bagged his first Serie A brace in a crushing victory over Parma - Roma's first at the Olimpico since February.
Both these sides had erratic starts to the season with a win, a draw and a defeat so far. It was a special occasion for Parma star Marco Delvecchio, who returned to face the side that was his home for a decade, but the Gialloblu were without the injured Domenico Morfeo, Daniele Bonera and Marco Marchionni. Roma also had fitness worries and needed to replace Amantino Mancini in that four-pronged attack. Following his poor form, Vincenzo Montella was benched in favour of Shabani Nonda.
Roma's home form used to be their strength, but they were without a win at the Olimpico since February. Rodrigo Taddei just missed a Leandro Cufre' cross by a matter of centimetres for what would've been a certain goal had he made contact.
Simone Perrotta and Taddei then got in each others' way when a tasty cross came in and the chance went begging.
Roma finally broke through with a curious goal, as Totti had not scored since February, but he might not necessarily have netted this one either. The captain's long-range effort took a massive deflection off Cardone and curled up into the top corner of the net.
120 seconds later it was 2-0, as Taddei ran on to Totti's pass and lobbed the goaleeper, but the final touch in was Nonda's header from a yard, netting his second goal of the season.
Totti's fierce drive was turned round the near post from a tight angle, but Parma were allowed back into the game. Paolo Cannavaro rose above the rest to nod in a corner kick, though goalkeeper Gianluca Curci's hesitation was key.
Christian Panucci scored twice in last week's UEFA Cup clash and netted Roma's third this evening with a glancing header on Cesare Bovo's free kick.
Parma wanted a penalty on the stroke of half-time for a Cufre' handling offence, but the action was judged to be involuntary. Fabio Simplicio also unleashed a fearsome strike from 25 metres that was just wide of the post.
Roma should've scored their fourth after the restart when Perrotta's lob beat the goalkeeper, but an acrobatic Cannavaro goalline clearance kept Parma in the running.
Youngster Rosi drilled a powerful finish just past the upright and Mark Bresciano's free kick was inches wide. There was bad news for the Giallorossi, as Cufre was stretchered off with an injury.
Cristiano Lupatelli did his best, but couldn't prevent Nonda netting his first Serie A brace. The goalkeeper first parried Perrotta's strike, then Totti's follow-up and eventually the ex-Monaco man fired in from close range.
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