Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has liken his team's match against Palermo as "a match of water-polo".

The entire game, which ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw, was played under heavy rain and Ranieri thinks Roma were handicapped because they were more technically gifted.

"I think the state of the pitch played a fundamental role in proceedings. It was raining so much and the second half was just a match of water-polo," said the Italian.

Roma needed a late penalty to save a point after the Giallorossi twice led in Sicily.

"We went in front and allowed ourselves to be caught, then fought until the final whistle and the important thing was to get a result.

"The team needs to be more solid. At times the lads seemed almost too generous with their energy, too eager to come forward and that caused problems when playing twice in one week."

Fabrizio Miccoli was a constant thorn in Roma's side, creating two goals and scoring one himself.

"Miccoli is an undoubted talent and a player on whom we had intended to double up our marking, but tonight it was already an achievement for us to stay on our feet in these conditions."