Daniele De Rossi's header gave Roma a slender victory over Chievo despite a red card and missed penalty.

Toni made his first start in the Giallorossi jersey, as Francesco Totti, Stefano Okaka, Philippe Mexes, Max Tonetto and goalkeeper Julio Sergio were injured. Chievo missed hitman Sergio Pellissier due to head trauma.

The new arrival had a chance within the opening 30 seconds that was charged down. From that corner, Daniele De Rossi rose above the crowd to nod in the opener for Roma.

Soon after, Toni got behind the defender to head Rodrigo Taddei's cross inches wide.

However, Roma shot themselves in the foot after just 11 minutes. A through ball sent Simone Bentivoglio through and he tried to chip the on-rushing goalkeeper, who stuck up a hand to block. By this stage he was outside the box, though, so the red card for Doni was inevitable. Doni was not meant to play today, but came in after Julio Sergio picked up a muscular problem in training. Bogdan Lobont replaced Mirko Vucinic as Roma continued with 10 men.

De Rossi's free kick skimmed the near post with Stefano Sorrentino rooted to the spot. There was almost a stunner when John Arne Riise volleyed a David Pizarro assist across the face of goal, where Toni failed to get on the end by a matter of inches.

Taddei went so close too, as he was totally unmarked at the back post when he fired wide from a Riise chipped ball over the top. Chievo had more of the possession in the first half, but struggled to create any real chances.

On 44 minutes Giampiero Pinzi with his back to goal knocked it down for Elvis Abbruscato, but Lobont was attentive and blocked at his feet.

After the restart Lobont punched a Nicolas Frey cross to the edge of the box, but Ariatti was too rushed and turned the lob off target with the goalkeeper stranded.

Lobont stuck up a hand to parry a dangerous Bentivoglio counter-attack, but it was Toni who made the difference. He skipped past Mandelli down the left flank and was pulled back by the arm for a penalty. Roma were furious, as Mandelli was already on a yellow card, but escaped further sanction.

However, Sorrentino guessed the right angle and put his hand up to parry David Pizarro's spot-kick in a splendid save. The ball was heading into the near top corner.

Riise's free kick drilled wide and there were several chances in one move, but ended with Marco Cassetti mistiming his diving header at the back post.

Toni played for 81 minutes before making way for Julio Baptista and was given a standing ovation as he left the Olimpico field thanks to a very determined and powerful performance.

Lobont smothered a Bentivoglio free kick, but there was tension after Roma threw away a 2-0 lead to be held in stoppages by Cagliari midweek.