02.04.2014 21:20 h

Football: Roma keep faint title hopes alive with win

Juventus hatte zwar oft hart zu kämpfen, blieb aber am Ende immer siegreich
Juventus hatte zwar oft hart zu kämpfen, blieb aber am Ende immer siegreich

Roma kept alive their slim hopes of wresting the Serie A title from Juventus with a 4-2 win over Parma in the capital on Wednesday.

The result left Roma eight points behind the champions with seven games remaining, although with Juventus having dropped only 12 points in 31 matches so far, it would be a tall order to expect them to falter.

But Roma did at least ensure that they need only one more point to secure one of Italy's three Champions League qualification positions for next season.

They also extended their lead over third-placed Napoli to nine points, leaving them in a great position to qualify directly for the continent's premier club competition's group stages.

And it was that competition that was on coach Rudi Garcia's mind immediately following the game.

"We've taken a step forwards towards the Champions League but we have to keep winning, also to keep hoping to catch Juve," said the Frenchman.

Goals from Ivorian forward Gervinho and club legend Francesco Totti either side of Ghanaian Afriyie Acquah's strike gave the hosts a 2-1 half-time lead at the Stadio Olimpico.

Further goals from Bosnian playmaker Miralem Pjanic and Rodrigo Taddei made it comfortable for Roma before Jonathan Biabiany notched a last minute consolation for Parma.

The visitors' own Europa League hopes were hurt by the defeat -- their second in a matter of days in Rome having lost 3-2 to Lazio in Sunday -- which leaves them still in sixth, two points behind fifth-placed Inter Milan.