Juventus vs. AS Roma: Match Preview

Roma’s struggles in opposition to Juventus on the street (and on the whole, let’s be actual) have been properly documented, however simply how dangerous has it been for the Giallorossi once they head north to fulfill the Previous Woman? Properly, whether or not we’re speaking concerning the outdated Stadio delle Alpi or the brand new Allianz Stadium, Roma has solely beat Juventus at residence in Serie A…are you prepared for this?… NINE TIMES. 9 instances! Within the 91 yr historical past between these two golf equipment, Roma hasn’t even cracked double-digit wins on the street but, that is how lopsided this “rivalry” has been for the previous 9 a long time.

After all, it is not all dangerous when Roma and Juventus meet. Actually, Roma has taken constructive factors from every of their final two league fixtures in opposition to the Previous Woman: a 3-1 victory on the ultimate matchday of 2019-2020; an extremely unusual match through which a Diego Perotti brace and a Nikola Kalinic aim helped Daniel Fuzato declare his first skilled victory.

Juventus vs. Roma: February sixth. 18:00 CET/12:00 EST. Allianz Stadium, Torino.

Juventus already had the league wrapped up by that time, in order that match was primarily meaningless, however Roma managed to place an early dent in Andrea Pirlo’s teaching resume final day out, so let’s take a fast journey again to the autumn.

Final Match

September 27, 2020: Roma 2, Juventus 2

In entrance of a smattering of followers on the Olimpico, Roma and Juventus traded first-half handball penalties earlier than Jordan Veretout put Roma forward 2-1 simply on the stroke of half-time. Edin Dzeko almost put the match past doubt when he struck the woodwork shortly thereafter, however when Adrien Rabiot was despatched packing simply previous the hour mark, it lastly appeared like fortune would swing Roma’s approach. In the long run, it wasn’t meant to be as Cristiano Ronaldo’s glancing 69th-minute header stole two factors from Roma.

Juve have but to play their beforehand postponed match in opposition to Napoli and have a recreation in hand over Roma, however the Giallorossi enter this match one spot and one level higher than Juve on the desk, so let’s check out how they’ll stay a step forward of the Previous Woman.

What to Watch For Tomorrow

Borja’s Large Check

Photograph by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto by way of Getty Photos

With 9 targets and 4 assists in 20 appearances (all comps), Borja Mayoral has been a pleasing shock for Roma in 2020-2021. Whereas he was fairly properly regarded amongst Real Madrid trustworthy, Mayoral has by no means loved a stretch fairly like this. Actually, Mayoral has already set a career-high with these 9 targets, and with the unsure relationship between Paulo Fonseca and Edin Dzeko, Mayoral stands to pad that determine considerably.

There’s only one downside. CFR Cluj, Parma, BSC Younger Boys, Crotone, Spezia, and Verona—the groups in opposition to whom Mayoral has scored—aren’t precisely a assassin’s row of European soccer. Throw in a couple of egregious misses and Mayoral’s run is not fairly as glamorous as it might appear on the floor.

Now, there’s nothing fallacious with scoring in opposition to decrease golf equipment, particularly not for a younger participant like Mayoral, however, assuming he begins tomorrow, this would be the greatest match of Mayoral’s season, if not his total European profession.

Roma are by no means removed from uncertainty, however even with the wound between Fonseca and Dzeko not hemorrhaging, Dzeko’s days with Roma are doubtless numbered. So, if Mayoral desires to be the person main the road in 2021 and past, he wants to copy these performances within the matches that really matter.

Is It Time for The three-5-2?

Photograph by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Photos

Along with his squad lacking Chris Smalling in protection (damage) and Lorenzo Pellegrini in assault (suspension), phrase on the streets says that Fonseca has experimented with a brand new formation in coaching this week: the Antonio Conte-approved 3-5-2.

Whereas formations are fluid, Pellegrini’s absence is probably going driving this refined tweak, one that might see Bryan Cristante assume the position of midfield playmaker, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mayoral sitting up prime and Roger Ibañez, Marash Kumbulla and Gianluca Mancini comprising the Smalling-less protection.

It is not a dramatic departure by any means however does carry refined modifications to a number of participant’s roles, so it is one thing to regulate, notably in opposition to an opponent of this caliber.

Sport of Goalkeepers

Photograph by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC by way of Getty Photos

Regardless of Juve’s historic dominance over Roma, the 2 golf equipment are nearer than ever on the desk, maybe suggesting that the hole between the 2 golf equipment is shrinking—not less than for this season.

However, take a look at these stats and inform me how you’re feeling:

Wojciech Szczesny vs Roma: Seven matches, three clean-sheets, eight targets conceded, 80% of pictures stopped

Pau Lopez vs Juventus: Two matches, zero clean-sheets, 5 targets conceded, 50% of pictures stopped.

Get properly quickly, Antonio Mirante!