Roma staved off their crisis for a little longer, as Christian Panucci again turned into the unexpected hitman and Mirko Vucinic scored his first goal of the season.

The pressure was on Luciano Spalletti after picking up just four points from five games, including the Champions League loss to Cluj. The midweek 3-1 defeat at Genoa infuriated the Giallorossi when Christian Panucci had a valid goal disallowed and Daniele De Rossi was sent off, earning him a ban for this game. He was out along with the injured Francesco Totti, Juan, Max Tonetto, Marco Cassetti, Julio Baptista and David Pizarro.

Atalanta couldn't be in a more different situation, as they were just one point off the leaders and eager to compound their historic rivals' crisis. That feeling was only intensified by the fact Gigi Del Neri - fired from Roma in 2004-05 - was back at the Olimpico. However, they had only won here twice, the most recent a 2-1 result on May 25, 2003.

Alberto Aquilani fired a free kick well over, but Roma took the lead on 17 minutes. Once again, Christian Panucci was the first man on the scoresheet, as a corner came to his left-foot half-volley at the back post, which took a decisive deflection off Tomas Manfredini to send Ferdinando Coppola the wrong way.

Mirko Vucinic scored his first goal of the season to double their advantage. Jeremy Menez's deflected effort turned into an assist for Vucinic, who spun round immediately to turn in from nine yards.

Vucinic hit the back of the net a second time with a magnificent curling finish into the far top corner from 25 metres, but the flag had been raised for an extremely tight offside position.

After the restart Cristiano Doni ran on to a Sergio Floccari pass and was denied in a one-on-one by Alexander Doni.

Panucci almost handed Atalanta a way back into the game, but Floccari couldn't beat Doni after pouncing on the misplaced backpass, as he hesitated and was eventually crowded out.

Alberto Aquilani was guilty of hesitating when one-on-one with Coppola and the chance to put the game beyond doubt went begging.

Atalanta almost got back into it again, as substitute Jaime Valdes ran on to a Diego De Ascentis backheel to blast inches past the post.

There was a curious moment when Vucinic was substituted, as he was walking off without shaking hands with Coach Luciano Spalletti. The tactician reacted by grabbing his hand and pulling the player towards him for an embrace and they exchanged words.

John Arne Riise has been bitterly disappointing so far this season, but earned some applause from the Olimpico for a long-range shot just over the bar.