Post-Match Review: Juventus 3-2 Roma

     Juventus                                                      3-2                                               AS Roma        

Tevez pens 27, 45+3 (J), Totti pen 32 (R), Iturbe 44 (R), Bonucci 86 (J)

 Serie A – Week 6  [5th October 2014]  – Juventus Stadium

After an unfortunate midweek loss in Madrid in the Champions League, Juventus found themselves going head-to-head against a Roma side that has been absolutely brilliant starting off the new season. With Rudi Garcia in his second term as Manager of the Giallorossi, he makes another visit to Turin, this time facing Massimiliano Allegri, but again falls short of earning any points in the fortress that is Juventus Stadium.

In a match filled with controversial decisions, poor defending at times, missed chances and even a bench-clearing brawl in the dying minutes, it was certainly a game without any lack of entertainment; a typical game of calcio between Italy’s two best teams.

The match started out very high pressure from Roma, making it difficult for the Bianconeri to make something out of anything, but Juventus held firm in possession and would eventually break the deadlock around the half-hour mark through a questionable penalty decision by the referee in which Carlitos “El Apache” Tevez would beat Skorupski to make it 1-0. It only took five minutes for Roma to answer back, again, on another questionable penalty decision from the referee as Lichtsteiner made contact with Francesco Totti inside the area as the Swiss-engine was marking Totti, defending a Giallorossi corner. It was the number 10 of Roma to step up to the penalty spot as he put the ball past Buffon and into the back of the net, immediately celebrating in front of Juventus fans, causing more tension to an already very intense match.

If the two controversial calls weren’t enough to add to the drama, it was Gervinho who found Juan Iturbe–formerly linked with Juventus this past summer–to beat Buffon brilliantly (the first goal Juventus conceded from open play this Serie a campaign) and make it 1-2 for the visitors. As if the home supporters weren’t aggravated enough at Francesco Totti’s goal, (who is no fan favorite of Juventini) the Ultras began their negative chants and songs against Juan Iturbe, who had quite the transfer-saga last summer, seen as a traitor in many eyes of Juventini.

The hatred towards Iturbe quickly faded as fans began to sing “Non mollare mai”, or “never give up.” It was perfect timing from the fans and from Paul Pogba who skipped his way past the Roman defense and earned himself a second Juventus penalty, again a questionable decision from Rocchi. It was very difficult to see where exactly the foul had occurred, but the ruling stood and Tevez banged another penalty past the Polish keeper and made it 2-2 without celebrating, right before the end of the first half.

After an eventful and exciting first half of football, it did not take long for Allegri to take off a struggling Fernando Llorente, who after 7 official games is yet to find the back of the net. Being replaced by fellow countryman, Alvaro Morata, Llorente walked off the pitch noticeably disappointed in himself not to make an impact on what would’ve been the perfect opportunity to do so.

When Morata stepped on the pitch, he was making runs everywhere, playing off of Tevez and causing a lot of trouble for Roma defender, Kostas Manolas, who played brilliantly before ultimately being sent-off along with Morata in the confrontation they had at the end of the game. During the confrontation it seemed as though Morata was innocent after being head-butted by the Greek defender. Although, it is not unusual for a Roma player to have an excellent performance upon being sent off; Roma’s eternal captain is Francesco Totti, after all.

After skimming the crossbar along with his quick and darting runs around the area, Morata had nearly broken the 2-2 deadlock very late in the match, but it was not until Juventus won a corner late in the 85th minute when everything changed. It was a beautiful ball sent in from the corner, eventually finding Leonardo Bonucci’s strong-foot to be miraculously volleyed to Skorupski’s right side and into the bottom corner. Celebrations roared across the Juventus Stadium and again, Francesco Totti and the rest of his wolves failed to return to the Capital city with any points as Garcia watched from the stands upon being sent-off after his violin-gestures towards Rocchi after Juventus’ controversial penalty.

A game filled with heat and no shortage of drama was no unusual one for these two sides, a strong Derby in the making as Italy’s two best teams seem to be here making an impact on calcio in the long run. With all credit to Roma and a great deal of respect for a club with an immense amount of hunger; they were unlucky to go home without points, but Allegri’s men held strong against the terrifyingly fast attacks from Iturbe and Gervinho down the flanks, and the number of corners and set pieces the Gobbi were forced to defend.

Juventus moves on to face their next challenge as they travel southeast of Turin to challenge the many familiar faces of Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium on October 18th!

The three points have been won and Juventus can hold their heads high, after 90 minutes the better team won and we look forward to the return game at the Stadio Olimpico!

Statistics

	Man of the Match:	Carlos Tevez		Corners	5		Total Shots:	20
	Flop of the Match:	Fernando Llorente		Pass Accuracy:	85%		Ball Possession:	44%
	Fouls:	14		Shots on Target:	5		Formation:	3-5-2

Formation:

Lineups:

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres (Ogbonna 46), Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo (Vidal 79), Marchisio, Asamoah; Tevez, Llorente (Morata 59)

Roma: Skorupski; Maicon, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas; Pjanic (Paredes 85), Keita, Nainggolan; Iturbe (Florenzi 66), Totti (Destro 74), Gervinho

Ref:     Rocchi

Video Highlights: