In a showdown between the two Italian icons on Sunday night, Roma caused a real disappointment at the Stadio Olimpico with a decisive 1-0 victory over Juventus.
While José Mourinho’s team may have come under scrutiny after last weekend’s infamous 2-1 defeat to Cremonese, the Giallorossi returned with a roar as defender Gianluca Mancini scored the famous winner.
By sending home support into overdrive when the Italian international took the ball home just eight minutes into the break, Roma also dealt what could have been a critical blow to Juventus’ European dreams.
While the Old Lady could have traveled to Rome on Sunday night in the midst of a seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, Massimiliano Allegri’s team will feel like they’ve missed a potential opportunity outside of Turin.
Their late attack didn’t help as second-half substitute Moise Keane received a straight red card just 40 seconds into coming off the bench, Allegri was far from happy with his team’s performance here.
Two teams that are desperate to secure a ticket to the Champions League in 2023, we have covered the main topics for discussion in Sunday’s clash at the Olympic Stadium.
Mourinho got the answer he wanted
While Roma could end up continuing their Europa League adventure after beating Salzburg 2-0 on February 28, Mourinho has come under some pressure lately.
Handing relegated Cremonese their first Serie A win since their 23rd try last weekend, when they suffered a stunning 2-1 away defeat, the former Manchester United boss has seen plenty of speculation about his long-term future at the Olympic stadium.
However, with a grim performance on Sunday night and finding their way back into the top four, Roma made a big impression on many across Italy after returning from the World Cup winter break.
Desperate to return to the Champions League in 2023, Mourinho’s team also continues to build a reputation for their success at home.
Including Sunday’s 1-0 win, Roma have notably won nine of their previous 10 matches in all competitions at the Olympic Stadium – a streak that dates back to 13 November.
Likewise, the top four contenders have yet to land a Serie A kick in front of their fans since the opening of the New Year.
Juventus’ European ambitions hit hard
While Juventus may have faced some financial problems after deducting 15 points back in January, the Italian heavyweights enjoyed a stellar performance ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
Having booked their place in this season’s Europa League quarter-finals after beating French club Nantes 3-0 on 23 February, the Old Lady has smelled the chance to make another domestic statement here.
However, while Allegri’s team may have kicked off Serie A this weekend, aiming to catch up in the pursuit of the top four, Juventus have tumbled to the ground outside of Turin.
Watching their seven-game unbeaten streak come to an abrupt end and likely to come under closer scrutiny, Allegri would have been very disappointed by his team’s toothless performance in the final third.
Attacking talisman Dušan Vlahović has now failed to score in each of his last four matches in a row, and Sunday’s 1-0 defeat in Rome was the second time Juventus failed to score at home since 8 October.
What happens to Abraham?
Although Roma could return to the top four after Sunday’s 1-0 home win, there are some growing concerns about Tammy Abraham’s prolonged rut at the Stadio Olimpico.
While the England international could have been an immediate hit after arriving in Rome 18 months ago for a fee of £34m, the former Chelsea international has failed to reach the same level this time around.
Having lost his place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad as the Three Lions secured a quarter-final in Qatar, Abraham appears to have fallen in Mourinho’s pecking order.
Forced to settle for a place on the bench here and appearing in only a 17-minute cameo, Abraham has not started since Roma drew 1-1 against the Fox on 11 February.
Similarly, while the 25-year-old could be linked with a potential return to the Premier League this summer, the ex-Chelsea striker has recorded just one goal in his previous nine appearances.
Match report
Roma: Patricio, Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez, Zalewski, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola, Pellegrini, Wijnaldum, Dybala
Subscriptions: Belotti, Karsdorp, Abraham, Beauvais
Juventus: Szczesny, Danoli, Bremer, Sandro, Kostic, Rabio, Locatelli, Fagioli, Cuadrado, Di Maria, Vlahovic
Subscriptions: Keane, Bonucci, Pogba, Chiesa, Paredes
Goals: Mancini (53′)
Yellow cards: Roma: Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola – Juventus: Kostic, Locatelli
Red cards: kin
Judge: Fabio Maresca