Roma was held to a goalless draw at home by 10-man AC Milan as its Serie A title ambition took a blow in the final match of the year on Saturday.

The result meant Juventus will spend the winter break three points clear of Roma after the league leader beat Cagliari 3-1 on Thursday.

Milan remained seventh ahead of the rest of the weekend's fixtures, but was provisionally two points behind third-place Napoli in their duel for the final Champions League spot.

Milan started the brighter but it was Roma which had the better opportunities, and Rudi Garcia's men should have won the match after Pablo Armero was sent off following a second yellow card.

Earlier, a stoppage-time equalizer saw relegation-threatened Cesena rescue a 1-1 draw at Sassuolo.