Juventus win hard fought battle against Roma

Juventus have won 1-0 against AS Roma in the Allianz Stadium with standout performances by Szczęsny, Bentancur and De Sciglio. The Bianconeri now climb to 7th place in the Serie A table. Max Statman gives you a quick breakdown and player ratings.

Roma were the better team during the starting phase of the game. Mancini came closest to scoring for the Giallorossi but Szczęsny saved his header. De Sciglio gave a good cross in the 16th minute which found Kean. He rebounded it against Bentancur’s head into Roma’s goal. Roma star Zaniolo went off in the 25th minute with a muscle injury. The Italian midfielder looked very lively until then.

Penalty trouble

Roma grew stronger towards the end of the first half. Danilo made a crucial interception when Abraham went alone towards Szczęsny. It looked like Abraham scored the equalizer later after Chiellini lost possesion in a clumsy way. Juventus got saved by the referee, who had already blown his whistle for a foul on Mkhitaryan by Szczęsny. Veretout took the penalty, but Szczęsny went into the right direction and saved it.

Roma storm

In the second half, Bernardeschi almost scored a bicycle kick, but Patricio saved it. Kean’s rebound went over the bar. Pellegrini went to ground after a battle with Chiellini and wanted a penalty. VAR luckily didn’t fall for it. Bernardeschi came close again, but his shot from outside the box went past the post. Veretout tried to curl it into Juventus’s goal, but his attempt also missed the target. Roma got another big chance when Viña dribbled past two Bianconeri defenders, but Chiellini blocked his shot.

Juventus survive the Roma storm and keep the three points in Turin. The Bianconeri gain some confidence ahead of two difficult matches. First they face Zenit in the Champions League and on Sunday the Italian champions Inter await.

Player ratings

Szczęsny 8;

Danilo 7, Chiellini 5.5, Bonucci 6, De Sciglio 8;

Locatelli 6.5, Bentancur 8, Cuadrado 5.5, Bernardeschi 6;

Kean 6.5, Chiesa 5;

Substitutes: Kulusevski 6, Morata 6, Arthur 6