Juventus beat José Mourinho’s Roma with a lone goal from Adrien Rabiot and prevented Inter from finishing 2023 as winter champions. A day before the end of Serie A, which will be played from January 5 to 7, the team Massimiliano Allegriwith only one defeat received, came within two points of the leader, who tied on Friday with their visit to Genoa (1-1).
Romelu Lukaku was welcomed to a massive whistle for his failed summer signing and Paulo Dybala was welcomed with divided opinions after his seven seasons as a ‘bianconero’. Both led the attack of a Roma who started the game better and managed to take the lead in the 4th minute with a shot, after a defensive rebound, from Bryan Cristante who ended up in the post when deflected by Dusan Vlahovic.
Dybala creates danger with his reappearance
The match offered more attacking football than might be expected between two defensive-minded teams. Dybala, in his reappearance after three weeks, put in some dangerous balls with his ability to move between the lines, while on the other hand Vlahovic starred in one of the best performances as a Juventino.
The Serbian had three chances in a row with two shots past three sticks and a providential block by Gianluca Mancini as he got away with the quality of Diego Llorente. The young turk Kenan Yıldız (18 years old) also showed his class and confidence in a drive that ended with a shot that went too far.
Rabiot decided after Vlahovic’s genius
Dybala responded with a fine shot from outside the box that went close to the post, but the clearest chance of the first half came before the break in a Filip Kostic’s attempt is saved by Evan Ndicka under the sticks with a dive.
As soon as the second part started, it came the goal that changed the game. Vlahovic, with a brilliant back pass, left Adrien Rabiot alone, who beat Rui Patricio at the short post in a one-on-one match.
Lukaku, off
Juventus, as usual for Allegri, began to manage the advantage by coming back. Rome came to dominate and, With a ruthless Lukaku, Dybala continues to be the main source of the offensive although his performance declined as his physical condition failed. The Argentine tried to surprise a shot from the edge of the area to Wojciech Szczesny (70′).
This was almost the only concession from a Juve team that specialized in defending a 1-0 scoreline and they were not only strong against Roma’s push but also had options to score on the counterattack.
Juve can handle the greats
Unlike last season, this Juve knows how to compete against big teams and already beat Milan (0-1) and Naples (1-0). Only the leader Inter (1-1) was against him. Roma remain sixth but further (5 points) from the Champions League.
JUVENTUS
10
ROME
Juventus: Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Timothy Weah, McKennie (Rugani, 96′), Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic (Iling Junior, 76′); Vlahovic (Milik, 76′), Kenan Yildiz (Chiesa, 66′)
The
Rome: Rui Patrício; Mancini, Diego Llorente, Ndicka; Kristensen, Cristante, Paredes (El Shaarawy, 74′), Bove (Lorenzo Pellegrini, 64′), Zalewski (Azmoun, 80′); Dybala, Lukaku
The
Goal: 1-0 Rabiot (47′)
Cards: YELLOW: Paredes (68′), Locatelli (77′)
Referee: Simone Sozza
Spectators: 41,503 at Juventus Stadium
see the match sheet
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
