Stalemate hinders Roma and Udinese Euro hopes

ROME (AFP) –

Roma’s forward Erik Lamela reacts during a match on Febuary 1, 2013. Udinese and Roma cancelled each other out to prevent either making any headway in their quest for European football next season as they drew 1-1 in Udine.

Udinese and Roma cancelled each other out to prevent either making any headway in their quest for European football next season as they drew 1-1 in Udine.

Roma remain three points behind bitter city rivals Lazio, who have a game in hand, in the race for the final European qualification slot while Udinese are another three points further back.

Argentine youngster Erik Lamela had opened the scoring on 20 minutes for the visitors, slotting into the empty net after Udinese goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic tipped Alessandro Florenzi’s effort onto the woodwork.

Udinese hit back just past the hour mark through Colombian winger Luis Muriel, who shot home through Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s legs from a tight angle.

The hosts were forced to hold on at the end, though, after Thomas Heurtaux was dismissed for a high tackle on Florenzi.

On Friday AC Milan took their unbeaten league run to 10 games with a 2-0 success at Genoa that consolidated their hold on third place, the final Champions League qualification berth.

Giampaolo Pazzini and Mario Balotellio scored the goals before Kevin Constant was sent off for the rossoneri, who now lead neighbours Inter Milan by four points ahead of Sunday’s games.