Roma fall back with a draw against Lecce

MILAN (AP) — Every point counts in Serie A in the escalating battle for a spot in the next Champions League, and Roma could pay the price after drawing 1-1 with Lecce on Saturday.

With this visit result, Roma are ranked third, ahead of AC Milan on goal difference. The result of the match is the first tiebreaker.

Lazio are two points behind Roma and Atalanta one. The two meet later in Rome in a one-on-one fight for the top four.

Lecce moved 10 points above the relegation zone.

Lecce were looking to build on their progress after ending a four-game winless streak last week and surprisingly going forward when Federico Baschirotto headed in from a corner.

The referee later determined that the ball had hit Brazilian Roma defender Roger Ibáñez and it was an own goal.

Roma equalized 10 minutes later when the ball hit Lecce striker Gabriel Strefezza in the arm. Paulo Dybala scored the next penalty.

DREAM START

Emanuel Vignato’s Empoli debut was a dream after scoring in stoppage time to draw 2-2 against Spezia, threatening relegation.

Vignato, on loan last month from Bologna, came on with five minutes to play.

Spezia scored twice as Empoli defender Fabiano Parisi was sent off after 21 minutes for clearing the ball over the line with his hand.

Guglielmo Vicario parried Daniele Verde’s shot, but the referee ordered a replay. On his third attempt, Verde beat the Empoli goalkeeper and repeated with another goal six minutes later.

The teams were 10-10 after the break when Spezia midfielder Salvatore Esposito received a second yellow.

Nicolò Cambiaghi approached Empoli aged 71.

Spezia sit five points above the relegation zone and Empoli moved within three of the European places.