Roma have been held to a draw for the eighth time in nine Serie A games following a goalless stalemate at Chievo this afternoon.

Juan Iturbe had an early sight of goal for the visitors, but, after being picked out inside the box by Gervinho, he blazed his effort over the bar.

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Midway through the half, Chievo midfielder Federico Mattiello was forced off after breaking his leg in a challenge with Radja Nainggolan.

The injury seemed to affect both teams, with few chances being created, but Roma were inches away from taking the lead just before the break.

Gervinho was picked out by Iturbe and raced into the box before firing a strike across goal that went just wide of the far post.

After the break, Valter Birsa had a huge chance to give Chievo the lead when he was found inside the box, but he could only place his effort wide of the target.

The hosts were looking the more likely of the two teams to grab a winner and Morgan De Sanctis had to be alert to dive on a Riccardo Meggiorini strike.

However, there was to be no winning goal as the game finished on level terms, leaving Roma eight points adrift of Juventus in the Serie A table.