José Mourinho’s Roma inflicted yet more damage on Juventus’ season, with the Giallorossi triumphing 1-0 over the record Italian champions – a result that leaves the Old Lady a whopping 12 points adrift of the UEFA Champions League places.
During what was a mouth-watering encounter between two of Italy’s most historic sides, the first-half highlights largely came from the terraces, where a sea of carmine and gold flags, scarves and banners swept around the Stadio Olimpico.
Unfortunately, the players were unable to match the supporters’ energy on the pitch, with chances at a premium for both sides.
Roma’s only shot on target of the opening 45 minutes came from the left boot of a former Juventus star, but Paulo Dybala’s curling effort from range was comfortably saved by former teammate Wojciech Szczęsny.
At the opposite end, on the brink of HT, Adrien Rabiot was denied an opener by a combination of Rui Patrício and the woodwork, ensuring both sides entered the break on level terms.
In a game of fine margins, it was perhaps no surprise that the opening goal came via a moment of brilliance from Roma’s Gianluca Mancini.
Netting his first league goal since the 2020/21 campaign, Mancini’s long-range effort sailed beyond the outstretched Szczęsny, leaving the Juventus shot-stopper with little chance of making a save.
The opener, which was only the second shot on target for Roma all evening, came somewhat against the run of play, with Juventus enjoying strong spells before and after falling behind.
From thereon in, the onus was firmly placed on the Bianconeri to go out and find an equalising goal.
Juan Cuadrado came close for the visitors, smacking a well-struck free-kick against the upright, before Ángel Di María forced a comfortable save out of Patrício with an effort from outside the penalty area.
Elsewhere, a mistimed clearance from goalscorer Mancini also his own woodwork, with luck clearly on Roma’s side, as their search for a top-four finish continues.
Remarkably, as if Juventus’ evening couldn’t have got worse, the Old Lady were reduced to 10 men just before FT, with substitute Moise Kean sent off within a minute of being brought off the bench.
Dismissed for a blatant kick on Mancini, the forward spent less than 60 seconds on the field, before being given his marching orders by referee Fabio Maresca.
A dismal night for the Juventus faithful, whose torrid 2022/23 campaign continues with defeat in the capital.
