Mario Mandzukic struck the only goal restore Juventus' eight-point lead atop Serie A as the champions eased past Roma.
Match Report
Juventus dealt a fresh blow to Eusebio Di Francesco's job security in a routine 1-0 win over an outclassed Roma at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Champions League semi-finalists last season, Roma have been a shadow of their former selves this term and were no match for the Serie A champions despite the narrow final scoreline.
Mario Mandzukic's commanding header, his eighth league goal of the campaign, gave Juve a deserved half-time lead and they were rarely troubled in restoring an eight-point gap to second-placed Napoli, who earlier beat SPAL 1-0.
Match Events
22' Ronaldo's bicycle kick over the bar
Incredibly, Juve have already had nine corners in the opening quarter of the match. This latest set-piece comes to little, but when the ball arrives back in the box Ronaldo attempts an audacious overhead kick that is high and wide.
33' Ronaldo's shot saved by Olsen
RONALDO DENIED! The Portugal forward does not tend to miss too many openings form this range. After working a shooting position on his right foot, Ronaldo's curler is pushed aside by Olsen, who is having an impressive game.
35' GOAL! Juventus 1-0 Roma (Mandzukic)
GOOOAAALLL!! Juventus 1-0 Roma! Mandzukic ends Roma's resistance by heading home De Sciglio's cross at the back post. As simple as you like from the hosts' perspective - De Sciglio stood the ball up and Mandzukic got to it ahead of Santon.
59' Amazing saves from Olsen to deny Ronaldo
OLSEN KEEPS OUT RONALDO! Olsen is having a stormer in the Roma goal - it would have been game over a long time ago if not for the Swedish goalkeeper. Ronaldo's glancing header from close range is helped behind, and the ex-Real Madrid man is then denied with his volley from five yards.
69' Juventus' second goal disallowed for foul
GOAL DISALLOWED! Chiellini helps the ball over the line from a couple of yards out, but the referee was always likely to blow for a free-kick as the defender barged into Olsen when coming to collect a corner. It looks as though Allegri is about to make his first change of the match...
91' Costa's goal disallowed for foul
Player Ratings
Line-ups
Juventus XI: Cristiano Ronaldo, B. Matuidi, Bonucci, W. Szczęsny, Chiellini, M. Mandžukić, Pjanic, A.Sandro, De Sciglio, P. Dybala, R. Bentancur
Subs: S. Khedira, M. Benatia, Douglas Costa, Carlo Pinsoglio, M. Perin, E.Can, Rugani, Spinazzola, Bernardeschi, M.Kean
Roma XI: A. Kolarov, F. Fazio, S. N'Zonzi, Santon, Manolas, R. Olsen, Florenzi, B. Cristante, Schick, Ünder, Nicolò Zaniolo
Subs: Pastore, Antonio Mirante, Ivan Marcano, Dzeko, Perotti, Juan, Karsdorp, L.Pellegrini, J. Kluivert, Daniel Fuzato
karimcr7benzema
269
very disappointed as a juventus fan these 1-0 wins are useless in the knockout stages of the ucl to assure a qualify in the R16 you need to win 3-0 or 2-0 juventus just wait for either manzukic ronaldo or dybala to score and then suddenly i saw manzukic as a right back dybala as defensive midfielder and leaves ronaldo alone in the attacking positions for counter attack i just dont like the way allegri plays with juventus i know it's italy traditional way to playing football but allegri has a more petrifing attack than defence . ronaldo is doing no good for juventus
Gunnersincebirth
253
Looks like Ronaldo is now in shadow of Mandukic
Amanda-
226
Juventus must improve especially when it comes to scoring goals . UCL is not a joke . For me Allegri is not just good enough. Then Mandzukic may have scored, but he’s useless going forward as usual. If he’s not given a tap in or tap head, he doesn’t score goals . Then he’s absolutely unskillful and his passes are absolutely useless. Juventus needs to buy a top 9 in January
Shina-Ayo
219
This title is wrong. Where are those sensational titles such as: "Ronaldo's effort was denied but Mandzukic stand in for the King over Roma" It seems Ronaldo is not paying his PR very well!!!
Nigeria425164
202
there is prob with the use of VAR by refree. i watched the match the foul does nt have effect on the play, the player took two more step with one touch of the ball before making wrong long pass which refree didn't look at till juve worked hard to score the second goal. And then goal waved off just like that....if u watched the game there were a lot of body touch. I just feel like juve has been unlucky with third straight match their 2nd goal canceled by complaint made by opponents.
Thiago_
193
As a Barca fan He was superB tonight but he had a bad luck
Skildowizard
185
I still doubt if this Juventus team can win champions league. No attack, no midfield all they depend on is their defense.
AntoJaison
176
Ronaldo had too many shots at goal but couldnt end up scoring. This is something he was not used to do at Real madrid. Just hope that Ronaldo touches 30 goals this season.
maestroLM10
169
Juventus is trying to build their game around Ronaldo and its not working..They should go back to Dybala as their star player...
FootballPro19
63
All these Barca fans are just trying to take advantage of Messi good form recently. I don’t see a single reason why we can’t say Ronaldo is the best player at Juve right now. Don’t believe me? Well let me ask you a question... What role is Ronaldo meant to play in Juventus this season? The answer is goals. Now let me ask you another question... Who is Juventus’ top scorer? Who is Serie A’s top scorer? The answer is Ronaldo. Ronaldo is total has contributed to the most goals in Serie A this season (goals + assists + key passes). Long story short Ronaldo is the best forward/attacker in Serie A at the moment. So why are Barca fans being butthurt? Simply because Messi is currently in better form than Ronaldo and they want to make the most out of it. Remember what happened in the last 3 seasons? THREE SEASONS BACK TO BACK where Messi flopped in the competition THAT BARCELONA ACTUALLY NEEDS HIM TO SCORE IN! THREE SEASONS! What makes me believe this season is gonna be different? Barca fans have been talking about Messi’s stats for three years in a row but he is always failing when he is needed to produce good stats. Ronaldo the GOAT.
RealMd13
62
Its incredible difficult to stop somebody like that cuz the counter attack and abilities than speed the power CR7 got its Absolutely Phenomenal you mark him on the ground he would do you in the air if you stop him going on his left he would go on his right if you stop him from shooting the distance he would dribble into the box if you think your RIght back is doing well against him he would play against your Center back if your Center back is doing well against him he would play against your left back he really would cause any problems there is to cause against any opponents
Peyadkmrt
59
If Juventus play like this and Athletico play like this, that match will be boring. Only good defense. Not many great midfielder in both teams. Forward are good on both sides, but the coach use Bus Park strategy.
racabdnpt
51
Name : mandzukic job : Ronaldo