Clearly woken up by the goal, Roma tried to respond instantly with captain Francesco Totti who turned well to shrug off Bassista, but his effort was easily saved by Schreng. Minutes later it was Daniele De Rossi who found himself in space, but his effort was well wide of the mark.

The flow off attacks continued to rain down on Kosice’s goal, but a lack of fine finishing meant the tide failed to turn in Roma’s favour. Alessio Cerci guilty of missing an easy chance at the back post.

Luciano Spalletti was clearly frustrated from the bench, and his instructions were heard by Jeremy Menez. The Frenchman wriggled his way into the box and Kiss was tempted into lunging across his path. The referee saw an obstruction, and the penalty was awarded. Totti stepped up to take it and he made no mistake sending Schreng the wrong way as the ball nestled itself into the bottom right corner.

The Giallorossi should have doubled their advantage soon after when Menez found Mexes at the back post, but he rifled the ball wide.

Spalletti’s men came out with intent for the second half. Pizarro did well to get forward and unleashed a powerful shot from distance. The Chilean tried to put swerve on the ball, but Schreng was not fooled and made an easy save.

Menez, who had threatened the Slovakians all afternoon, edged his side in front. Matteo Brighi saw the striker’s run and fed him well. Menez turned towards goal, skipped past two defenders and buried the ball into the bottom corner with a well taken finish as an air of relief passed through the Lupi bench.

Kosice’s play drifted around without any influence on the game. The home side found it hard to penetrate the Italians and they failed to create any chance worthy of mention. Milinkovic appealed for a penalty following Mexes’ challenge, but his shouts were ignored by the referee.

Totti was inspirational for his side and should have doubled Roma’s lead. He skipped past Bassista and Kiss as he swivelled with a mazy run, but his finish failed to match the dribbling. Minutes later the striker ensured his side were home and dry. Taddei fed De Rossi with a great ball on the right. The Italian looked up and saw his captain run into the box. He played an exquisite ball over, and Totti blasted home from close range.

Roma’s enthusiasm was curbed though as Mexes gave away a needless penalty. Novak made no mistake from 12 yards as he gave his side some hope of getting a result. That hope became real 10 minutes from time as Novak levelled for his side. The winger skipped past Marco Motta and drilled home. Roma were unlucky though as the shot took a wicked deflection from Andreolli to beat the stranded Artur.

The result leaves Roma’s chances of progression hostage to how they turn out next week, but they will fancy their chances of making the group stages nevertheless.