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Roma were unable to get the better of 10-man Napoli at the Olimpico, as Marek Hamsik secured a point in the capital.
This was the 124th Derby del Sole and traditionally a fiery occasion between historic rivals. Last season it ended in a spectacular 4-4 draw, but this time around the Giallorossi had to do without the injured Francesco Totti, Rodrigo Taddei and Simone Perrotta. Napoli too had problems with Roberto De Zerbi and Maurizio Domizzi sitting out bans, while Mannini and Mariano Bogliacino were injured.
It was a moving occasion for Roma, as it was the first Serie A season since 1983 to begin without President Franco Sensi, who died earlier this month, so his wife Maria placed flowers on the seat that was his for 15 years and a minutes' silence was held. His place at the club has been taken by daughter Rosella, the first female President in Italian top flight football.
Julio Baptista and John Arne Riise made their Serie A debuts and Cicinho returned after a training ground row with Luciano Spalletti.
Philippe Mexes threw himself at a cross to anticipate Gustavo German Denis, but in doing so would've scored an own goal had it not been for a fantastic Alexander Doni reaction save!
Roma broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark through Alberto Aquilani. Daniele De Rossi's ball over the top was chested down and flicked in by Aquilani, although the Napoli defence left him far too much space.
Gennaro Iezzo blocked a Julio Baptista effort from the edge of the box and Denis' header was off target. Mirko Vucinic incredibly failed to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time, as he combined with Aquilani to go clear on goal only to place a very weak shot into the grateful arms of Iezzo.
Roma were piling on the pressure and Iezzo palmed away an Aquilani strike that was just a few centimetres beyond the reach of Mexes from six yards.
Walter Gargano's free kick curled inches over the bar at the start of the second half, then a Denis left-foot drive skimmed the far post.
The visitors were more sprightly after the break, as Ezequiel Lavezzi skipped past three defenders to flash a shot across the face of goal, then Marek Hamsik missed a great chance from Gargano's assist.
Napoli's hopes of getting back into the game were seemingly dashed when Fabiano Santacroce stuck out a leg for a cynical foul to stop Vucinic's counter. It was his second bookable offence.
However, moments later 10-man Napoli equalised. A corner kick was nodded towards Hamsik by Denis, flicked on to the crossbar and then Hamsik acrobatically netted the loose ball.
Luciano Spalletti threw on new signing Jeremy Menez for his Serie A debut, moving Marco Cassetti back into defence. Aquilani wasted a remarkable chance six yards from an open goal, as he didn't adjust his body in time for De Rossi's cross and deflected over with his stomach.
Roma were seemingly unable to take advantage of the extra man and struggled to break down the Napoli defence. Instead, Doni had to rush out to push the ball off the feet of Lavezzi in a one-on-one situation.
With three minutes left on the clock, Doni had to stick out a foot to parry another Lavezzi attempt. Menez should've scored the winner on his debut, but weakly hit the ball straight at Iezzo from point-blank range!
Menez created another good opportunity in stoppages, but this time Stefano Okaka Chuka was too hasty and wasted it.
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