31th matchday: Juventus - Roma 1-1

A tense evening at the Delle Alpi saw Juventus play out a draw with Roma. After Emerson had put the home team ahead, Kharja equalised for the visitors with five minutes remaining. The draw, coupled with Milan' victory over Fiorentina, means that Juventus are 8 points clear at the top of the table with seven games remaining.

With injuries to both Totti and Montella it was left to Mancini to lead the giallorossi front-line in Turin. The Brazilian was Roma’s main source of danger and carved out a chance for himself in the seventeenth minute. Having rounded Nedved on the edge of the area he set himself to strike but his long-range attempt was well-saved by Buffon. The Juve ‘keeper was on hand again ten minutes later, smothering a shot from Dacourt after the Frenchman had evaded several challenges in a mazy run from midfield.

Juve looked most dangerous from set-plays, and a series of excellent balls from Camoranesi caused panic in the Roma defensive line with both Ibrahimovic and Nedved going close. It was of no surprise then that the deadlock was broken after another teasing cross from Camo. This time it was Emerson who met the pass and the Puma made no mistake as he rose to head the ball beyond Doneiber and put the bianconeri ahead.

Juventus left the field at half time one goal up but one man down after Nedved received his second yellow card of the game, reducing the home team to ten men.

The second half proved difficult for the visitors as Juve frustrated their attempts for an equaliser. Having replaced Trezeguet with Balzaretti at the interval, Capello’s team threw men behind the ball and frequently disrupted Roma’s attacks. Taddei and Aquilani both tried their luck from distance, but again it was a well-placed set-play that made the difference. With five minutes remaining Kharja capitalised on a good delivery from Taddei and headed past the outstretched palm of Buffon.

 

 

back