Rome  - Roma had captain Daniele De Rossi sent off as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by visiting Udinese in the Serie A Saturday to dent their pursuit of a Champions League berth.

Roma are now level with Genoa and one point behind Fiorentina, in the fourth Champions League qualifying place, who could improve their tally Sunday when Palermo are the visitors.

Brazilian defender Felipe put Udinese ahead in the second half before an equalizer from substitute Mirko Vucinic.

The crowd at Rome's Stadio Olimpico had little to cheer as Udinese dominated in midfield leaving little room for Roma to feed lone striker Julio Baptista.

Brazilian Rodrigo Taddei squandered Roma's best chance on eight minutes after a poor defensive clearance, while Udine threatened with wide drives from Antonio Floro Flores and Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah.

Roma's veteran striker Vincenzo Montella came on after the break and immediately fired narrowly wide, but it was Udinese who took the lead on 54 minutes when Felipe scored an easy header off a pass from Antonio Di Natale.

The stunned hosts brought on Montenegro striker Vucinic, who on 61 minutes levelled with a low drive by the far post.

But hopes of securing victory were set back on 68 minutes when De Rossi was shown a red card for protesting vehemently after a team-mate's foul.

Roma still came close in the last 10 minutes, with Montella blocked by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and Vucinic missing a lob.

In later action, leaders Inter Milan, on 60 points, visit solid Genoa and Juventus, lying second seven points adrift, play a city derby against lowly Torino. (dpa)