Parma vs. AS Roma: Final score 1-2, Pjanić‘s late goal keeps Roma perfect

Miralem Pjanić's late free kick beauty gave AS Roma another win as they continued their perfect start to the season. Adem Ljajić opened the scoring in first half of their 2-1 victory over Parma, only for Paolo De Ceglie to level with a fine header in the 56th minute. Even though it wasn't a classic performance and Parma did enough to deserve a draw, the giallorossi showed why they are a serious title contenders: they're capable of winning when playing badly.

It wasn't a game of many chances. Roma had most of the ball, but ideas on how to break Parma's defense were lacking. It took until the 26th minute before Totti sliced open the defense with the perfect through ball for Ljajić. The young forward ran into the box and volleyed it under Antonio Mirante into the net. Nothing much changed after the goal; Roma was still keeping the ball, but didn't seem to know what to do with it, while Parma was patiently waiting for their opportunity.

It came from a corner in the 56th minute. Francesco Lodi's cross found De Ceglie in the middle of the box, and the former Juventus player outjumped Kostas Manolas and headed through Morgan De Sanctis' arms and into the back of the net.

The giallorossi spent the next 30 minutes trying to create a goalscoring opportunity without much success. When it seemed like Parma might be the first team of the season to take a point from Roma, Felipe collided with Alessandro Florenzi in the danger zone, and the referee awarded a free-kick to Roma. A few minutes passed before it could actually be taken, because the crociati didn't really agree with the ref's decision. Finally, Pjanić took the free kick, and sent a curling ball into the top right corner. There was nothing Mirante could do, and Roma maintained their perfect record.