Roma captain Francesco Totti is still fuming over the controversial midweek draw at Internazionale as his team head into their next Serie A clash against Parma.

The Giallorossi had been leading 1-0 thanks to Totti’s goal when referee Roberto Rosetti sent off defender Philippe Mexes with five minutes remaining.

Inter then capitalised soon after with Javier Zanetti’s equaliser to leave second-placed Roma nine points behind the unbeaten Serie A leaders with 13 games remaining.

“The referee had done well up to that point,” said Totti. “Then he blew it by sending off Mexes and losing control of the game. Mexes didn’t even touch Hernan Crespo when he was shown his second yellow card, in fact, in practise, Mexes was sent off in a game where he made no fouls.”

Totti nevertheless feels that his team have sent a strong signal to the Serie A leaders that the scudetto battle is not over.

“At San Siro we proved that we are at the same level as Inter,” he said.

“I think we played better than Inter and I reiterate that the referee gave Inter a big help. I was right in saying prior to that game that the battle is not over and I believe that is the case right now. Of course it’s going to be hard but it’s not over, the outcome at Inter didn’t mean we have missed the last train. I think the month of March will be crucial for us.”

The pressure will be on Roma to deliver starting this weekend when they play host to struggling Parma.

“There’s no question we have to win otherwise all our efforts will be to no avail,” Totti added.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti will be relying on top scorer Totti to come up with the answers in attack. Totti ended his recent scoring drought in the match against Inter by netting his first goal in six games since returning from injury. A win this weekend will be a big boost for Roma in view of Tuesday’s Champions League return leg against Real Madrid in the Spanish capital.

The Giallorossi will fancy their chances for they have not lost at the Stadio Olimpico since September 29 while Palermo have yet to win on the road this campaign. Parma go into the encounter looking to build on their 2-0 triumph against Udinese on Wednesday that saw them climb two points clear of the drop zone. Parma coach Domenico Di Carlo will have all his players available with the exception of injured midfielder Domenico Morfeo. The hosts will be without Mexes, who serves a one-match ban, but welcome back winger Mancini, who has overcome the muscle injury that prevented him from playing against Inter.