Roma held by promoted Cesena
Reuters - Saturday 28 August 2010, 20:43
ROME - Last season's runners-up AS Roma
were held to a scrappy 0-0 draw by promoted Cesena on Saturday
in their first match of the Serie A season.
Cash-strapped Roma, without injured new signing Adriano, had
the bulk of the play but clear-cut chances were at a premium as
Serie A kicked off for the first time as a breakaway division
independent of the rest of the Italian league.
Visiting Cesena, who have made some handy signings for their
first Serie A appearance in 19 years, could even have snatched a
shock winner in the second half.
Groups of Roma fans chanted before kick-off and refused to
take their seats in protest against the introduction of
compulsory supporter cards to enter stadiums in Italy.
The Italian government hopes the electronic cards will help
authorities track the hooligan element but fans see them as an
affront to their liberty and protests have been widespread.
In the day's earlier game, Genoa opened the Serie A season
with a 1-0 win at Udinese thanks to substitute Giandomenico
Mesto's overhead kick nine minutes from time.
Genoa have spent big in the close season in a bid to push
for the Champions League places but new signing Luca Toni limped
off with a hamstring problem in the first half.
Antonio Di Natale, who snubbed a move to Juventus in
midweek, had Udinese's best chance in the pouring rain but the
home side struggled in coach Francesco Guidolin's first game
back in charge having failed to strengthen their squad.
The first round of games is completed on Sunday and Monday.
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