Roma 1-0 Juventus: What Were The Key Talking Points As Jose Mourinho’s Men Claim A Heavyweight Victory At The Stadio Olimpico?

In a showdown between two Italian icons on Sunday night, Roma sprung a real upset at the Stadio Olimpico as they claimed a gritty 1-0 victory against Juventus.

While Jose Mourinho’s side might have come under scrutiny for their infamous 2-1 loss against Cremonese last weekend, the Giallorossi came roaring back as defender Gianluca Mancini bagged a famous winner.

Sending the home support into overdrive as the Italian international powered home just eight minutes after the half-time break, Roma also handed Juventus’ European dreams what could be a critical blow.

Although the Old Lady might have traveled to Rome on Sunday night in the midst of a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions, Massimiliano Allegri’s side will feel like they missed out on a potential chance outside of Turin.

With their late charge to snatch a point not helped as second-half substitute Moise Kean was shown a straight red card just 40 seconds after coming off the bench, Allegri was far from pleased by his side’s display here.

Two sides who are desperate to book a Champions League ticket in 2023, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday’s showdown at the Stadio Olimpico.

Mourinho gets the response he was demanding

While Roma might have eventually extended on their Europa League adventure after claiming a second-leg 2-0 victory against Salzburg on February 28th, Mourinho has found himself under some recent pressure.

Handing relegation scrappers Cremonese their first Serie A win at the 23rd attempt last weekend as they suffered a stunning 2-1 loss on the road, the former Manchester United boss has seen plenty of speculation over his long-term future at the Stadio Olimpico.

However, putting in a gritty display on Sunday night and finding a route back into the top-four, Roma have largely impressed many across Italy since returning from the World Cup’s winter break.

Now desperate to secure a Champions League return in 2023, Mourinho’s side have also continued to gain a reputation for their success on home soil.

Including Sunday’s 1-0 victory, Roma have remarkably won nine of their previous 10 showdowns across all competitions at the Stadio Olimpico – a run that stems all the way back to November 13th.

Likewise, the top-four contenders are also yet to ship a single Serie A strike in front of their own supporters since opening the New Year.

Juventus’ European ambitions take a major dent

While Juventus might have been dealing with a string of financial issues after being hit with a 15-point deduction back in January, the Italian heavyweights were enjoying a stellar run of form ahead of Sunday’s showdown at the Stadio Olimpico.

Booking their spot in the quarter-finals of this season’s Europa League after clinching a 3-0 romp away at French outfit Nantes on February 23rd, the Old Lady were smelling the chance to make another domestic statement here.

However, although Allegri’s side might have opened this weekend’s Serie A fixtures with their sights set on making up some ground in the top-four chase, Juventus came crashing back down to earth outside of Turin.

Watching their seven-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end and likely to come under more scrutiny, Allegri would have been most disappointed by his side’s toothless display in the final third.

With attacking talisman Dusan Vlahovic now failing to find the net in each of his last four consecutive appearances, Sunday’s 1-0 loss in Rome was just the second time since October 8th that Juventus have drawn a domestic blank.

What is going on with Abraham?

Although Roma might have leapfrogged their way back into the top-four following Sunday’s 1-0 victory on home soil, there are some growing concerns over Tammy Abraham’s extended rut at the Stadio Olimpico.

While the England international might have become an immediate hit after arriving in Rome 18 months ago for a fee of £34million, the former Chelsea man has failed to match a similar level this time around.

Missing out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad as the Three Lions secured a quarter-final finish out in Qatar, Abraham appears to have fallen down Mourinho’s pecking order.

Having to settle for a spot on the bench here and making just a 17-minute cameo appearance, Abraham has not made a domestic start since Roma’s 1-1 draw away at Leece on February 11th.

Likewise, while the 25-year-old might have been linked with a potential Premier League return this summer, the ex-Chelsea striker has recorded just a single strike in his previous nine outings.

Match Report

Roma: Patricio, Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez, Zalewski, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola, Pellegrini, Wijnaldum, Dybala

Subs: Belotti, Karsdorp, Abraham, Bove

Juventus: Szczesny, Danoli, Bremer, Sandro, Kostic, Rabiot, Locatelli, Fagioli, Cuadrado, Di Maria, Vlahovic

Subs: Kean, Bonucci, Pogba, Chiesa, Paredes

Goals: Mancini (53′)

Yellow Cards: Roma: Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola – Juventus: Kostic, Locatelli

Red Cards: Kean

Referee: Fabio Maresca