Roma surrender two-goal lead against nine-man Cagliari

Amid chaos in Sardinia, Roma, who had led with first-half goals from Bryan Cristante and Aleksandar Kolarov, were caught in the last ten minutes with two late goals from Cagliari.

"I'm really angry and upset at this draw, because it's just absurd. You can't let it happen, conceding an equaliser against nine men in stoppages," said under-pressure Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco.

Roma are already through to the Champions League last 16 before next week's game against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic.

But they have a long injury list with captain Daniele De Rossi sidelined along with Edin Dzeko, Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Cristante opened after 14 minutes from a Justin Kluivert cross, as Kolarov got the second five minutes before the break with a free-kick which took a big deflection off Alberto Cerri.

But the hosts broke through late when Joao Pedro nodded a corner on to Artur Ionita who blasted into the Roma goal four minutes from time.

Roma were still ahead going into injury time when Luca Ceppitelli and Darijo Srna were sent off for arguing with the referee, and Cagliari coach Roberto Maran also banished.

Marco Sau nevertheless completed the hosts' comeback from an Ionita cross five mintues into injury time to maintain Caglairi's unbeaten home record.

The Sardinians are currently in 13th position.

Di Francesco's Roma, who were third last season, remain seventh, 22 points behind leaders Juventus.