Manchester City discovered how hard they will have to fight to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase after they were held to a draw by Roma at Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero's penalty put City ahead in the opening minutes but veteran Francesco Totti set the Serie A runners-up on the way to a fully deserved point when he became the oldest player to score in the Champions League with a clever equaliser before half-time.

At 38 years and three days, he eclipsed Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and left City still searching for their first win in Group E following their opening defeat by Bayern Munich in Germany.

City will still feel confident of qualification from the group but, with Bayern favourites after two wins, Roma have demonstrated they will pose a serious threat to their aspirations of moving out of this tough section as Manuel Pellegrini's side still have to visit Italy.

Former Italy attacker Totti may be in the twilight of his marvellous career but he showed a guile and composure that often proved beyond City, who still seem to be searching for a self-belief in this competition that equates to the stature of the players in their squad.

Roma, without injured midfield powerhouses Kevin Strootman and Daniele De Rossi, were combative in midfield and showed the sort of pace in attack that will trouble City in the return meeting.

And in former England defender Ashley Cole, they have an accomplished player still more than capable of holding his own in the Champions League.

City battled manfully but struggled to find the drive and quality to break down Roma, whose fans were far more satisfied at the final whistle than the home side's followers.

As expected, City goalkeeper Joe Hart was recalled after being rested for two games, but the first action came at the other end as the hosts took the lead from the penalty spot inside four minutes.

Former City defender Maicon senselessly dragged Aguero back as he raced into the area. The veteran Brazilian looked mystified but his protests fell on deaf ears and Aguero sent Lukasz Skorupski the wrong way.

If City thought this would smooth their path, Roma had other ideas and Maicon should have equalised almost immediately when he raced on to Totti's pass and hammered a rising shot against the bar from an angle.

Roma kept coming, however, and the equaliser they deserved duly arrived after 20 minutes. Totti was sent clear by Radja Nainggolan's pass and took advantage of an unfortunate slip by Hart as he came off his line, showing wonderful touch and technique to score with a lofted finish.

It had been an anxious first 45 minutes for City and their fans, with Pellegrini opting to introduce more solidity at the start of the second half by introducing James Milner for Jesus Navas.

There was no immediate impact on Roma as Hart blocked crucially from Miralem Pjanic and the keeper was relieved to see his curling 25-yard shot drift inches wide seconds later.

Pellegrini felt the need to add further experience after 56 minutes when Frank Lampard replaced the subdued Edin Dzeko - and he almost added to his tally of four goals in the past 10 days with a low shot that was turned aside by Skorupski.

As Roma's efforts took their toll in the closing minutes, David Silva almost grabbed a winner, but he could only turn Pablo Zabaleta's cross wide at the near post.