Serie A: Roma 0 Juventus 0

The clash of Italy’s top two at Rome’s Olympic stadium lived up to expectations in everything but goals, as Fabio Capello’s side maintained their six-point lead at the top against a Juventus side that had Edgar Davids sent off.

Juventus had the better of the first-half, but Roma proved their class after the interval by creating a number of chances and going close to grabbing the important breakthrough.

Davids was shown his second yellow card in injury time for a foul on Tommasi, although television replays showed it was Tacchinardi who did most of the pushing on the Roma man as the three players challenged for the ball.

The red card wasn’t the only thing that marred an otherwise good game of football. Objects and flares flew back and forth between the Roma fans in the south end and the adjacent sector, holding the visitors’ fans.

Juve created the first chance after five minutes when captain Conte latched on to a Pessoto cross from the left but his header was saved by Lupatelli.

Roma replied immediately with Delvecchio finding himself in relative freedom in front of the visitors’ goal but his header landed straight in Van der Sar’s arms.

At the other end Trezeguet showed nimble footwork to create space for himself but his low shot again failed to beat the keeper.

On 38 minutes Roma’s Tommasi went on a solo run from midfield and unleashed a powerful left-footed drive that flew inches wide of the post. Delvecchio came even closer shortly afterwards, his header from a Totti cross shaving the post.

Inzaghi pulled his shot wide when well-placed just after the interval, while Roma appealed for a penalty at the other end when Totti went down under a challenge from Pessotto, but the referee gave a free-kick just outside the area. From the resulting set-piece Batistuta’s header clipped the woodwork with Van der Sar well beaten.

The last real chance fell Totti’s way as the Italian made his way through on goal but his low shot was saved by the foot of Van der Sar.

After Davids’ sending off Juve put men behind the ball to seal a point, but they are still six behind and Fabio Capello’s men who have made it clear they won’t surrender top spot easily.

Cappello said afterwards: "Juventus played with great determination, but we deserved to win. I think Tommasi was the best midfielder on the pitch today."

Tommasi said: "I’m playing well at the moment thanks to the whole team which has reached such high standards. Nobody sticks out particularly because we’re all playing well."

Juventus coach Carlo Ancellotti was also happy with his team’s performance, saying: "It was a great game, we might even have clinched victory in the end. However a draw is the fairest result all round. This season we’re playing better than the last, and we’re definitely challenging for the title."

Juve keeper Van der Sar was delighted with his impressive showing after being heavily criticised after his poor performance in the same stadium against Lazio earlier this season. "I’ve had three weeks to recover from that and the coach and the team’s backing really helped me come through a bad patch," said the Dutch shot stopper. "Tonight I showed that I’m back to my usual high standards."

Roma: Lupatelli, Aldair, Samuel, Zago, Cafu, Tommasi, Guigou, Candela, Totti (Montella 86), Batistuta, Delvecchio.

Juventus: Van der Saar, Pessotto, Ferrara, Iuliano, Paramatti, Conte (Zambrotta 75), Tacchinardi, Davids, Zidane, Inzaghi (Kovacevic 68), Trezeguet (Bachini 90).

Booked: Aldair (Roma), Tacchinardi, Pessotto, Davids (Juventus)

Sent off: Davids (Juventus)

Referee: Borriello