ROME (Reuters) – Roma sent Pedro ahead, conceding a goal and coach Paulo Fonseca was also out in a five-minute spell before halftime, but the home side were tied 0-0 in a tumultuous top-six. A clash in Seri on Sunday.

The match, played in incessant rain at the Stadio Ol Limpico, took a dramatic turn in the 40th minute, when Pedro, who had already been booked, acted strategically in midfield and was awarded another yellow card.

Soon, Roma thought they had taken the lead when Henrik Mechterian counter-attacked. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was pushed forward by Edin Dzeko amid Roma’s opposition to the foul.

After the halftime whistle, Roma continued to re-introduce with the referee and ordered Fonseca in confusion.

He was angry even after the game, saying that Pedro should not be given his first yellow card.

“This episode speaks for itself, things have happened that I don’t understand. How can you give yellow for Pedro’s first missteps? “I just asked the referee why he gave us four yellow cards in the first half for very few fouls,” Fonseca said.

He added that Pedro Obiang should be sent off in the second half for a foul on Lorenzo Pellegrini. “Maybe the referee didn’t see it clearly, but the VAR should happen,” he said.

Curiously, Roma felt more dangerous in the second half as they sat back and tried to catch Sassuolo on the break.

Leonardo Spinazola saw a shot blocked by Pete goalkeeper Gianluca Pagolo, then Dezco clicked Spinzola cross shot on the post and saw another attempt fly out loud.

Sassuolo substitute Lucas Harasali thought he gave Sassuolo the lead with a superb effort from 25 meters, but a second review showed he was a fraction offside and didn’t even allow the goal.

Almost immediately, Roma broke the other end and the Ecterion shot a centimeter wide. Sassuolo almost caught a winner deep in stoppage time, but Mehdi Bourabia’s header widened from a corner.

Sassuolo, who finished fourth with 19 points, was one point and one place ahead of Roma, although Napoli (17 points) were far behind Croton on Sunday and were able to leave both sides behind with a win.

“I’m not happy. We had very little desire to win the game,” said Sassuolo coach Roberto de Zerby. “We are not playing well and the absence of many players cannot be an excuse, although it is very important.”

Parma and Benevento also drew 0-0 in the match between the two teams at the bottom of the table while Cagoliari caught Verona 1-1 at home.