Struggling SPAL shock Ranieri’s Roma

ROME: Claudio Ranieri’s Roma fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at struggling SPAL on Saturday, missing a golden opportunity to close the gap on Champions League rivals Inter Milan and AC Milan.

Milan are third, one point ahead of Inter, with Roma in fifth three points back in the battle for elite European football next season, ahead of Sunday’s Milan derby.

Ranieri had won his first match after taking over from sacked Eusebio Di Francesco — 2-1 against Empoli — but his side fell to their relegation-threatened hosts, leaving Roma’s season in the balance after their Champions League elimination at the hands of Porto and 3-0 beating by city rivals Lazio.

Algerian international Mohamed Fares nodded SPAL ahead after 22 minutes, and Ranieri introduced 19-year-old rising star Nicolo Zaniolo after the break to immediate effect.

Edin Dzeko ran on to a 53rd-minute Zaniolo through-ball and was fouled by Thiago Cionek in the area, before Diego Perotti converted the penalty. But seven minutes later Andrea Petagna scored the winner for SPAL from the spot following a foul by Roma defender Juan Jesus. SPAL held on for just their sixth win of the season and first home victory since September, which moved them up to 15th place, five points above the drop zone.