Socrates

Allegri: Pirlo to return against Dortmund The Juve coach expects the midfielder to be fit for the upcoming European encounter, while stressing his team must improve against lesser opposition. Mar 4, 2015 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri is hopeful Andrea Pirlo will be match-fit in time for their Champions League last-16 second leg at Borussia Dortmund . The experienced midfielder picked up a knock in the first leg of the encounter and consequently missed the Serie A draw with Roma. He will also miss Thursday's Coppa Italia semi-final first leg with Fiorentina and is expected to watch from the sidelines for upcoming league matches against Sassuolo and Palermo. Nevertheless, Allegri thinks Pirlo will be raring to go again on March 18 when Juventus defend a 2-1 lead at Signal Iduna Park. "I hope to have Pirlo back for the game against Borussia Dortmund," Allegri said at a press conference. "We want to get through to the next round in the Champions League."

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA .- Coppa Italia semi-final Thursday, March 5th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Versatility and depth Juve’s key Juventus may have surrendered the lead in the Scudetto showdown, but Luca Cetta saw Bianconeri versatility and depth as winners on the night. Mar 4, 2014 It wasn’t the knock-down drag-out Scudetto showdown neutrals hoped for. For a long time it looked as if Roma had no answers to a Bianconeri wall determined to give captain Gianluigi Buffon a comfortable evening. As they entered the Stadio Olimpico for the top-of-the-table affair, Juventus enjoyed a nine-point cushion over the Giallorossi. Carlos Tevez temporarily pushed the advantage out to 12, but a late Seydou Keita header maintained slim Roman ambitions. For Juventus the aim was not to lose. And for long periods they were in control of a game Roma needed to win. Weathering the late Lupi storm completed the job. Juve’s major victories on Monday were for tactical variation, versatility and squad depth. Massimiliano Allegri’s initial reaction to the draw was one of anger. Understandable, given he had just seen his team relinquish maximum points against 10 men. “It is a step forward, but considering the way the game was going we really should’ve done better,” he stated. The Coach saw it as a missed opportunity to hammer home the margin between the clubs. It was a theme continued by his players, Tevez claiming Juventus “got it completely wrong after 70 fine minutes” and Claudio Marchisio regretting their inability to put the game to bed. Another point of contention with the boss was dropping points on the road for a third successive match after Udinese and Cesena. Juventus have equalled in their last three away fixtures what was the season total on their travels beforehand – after Sassuolo, Genoa and Fiorentina. But that shouldn’t take away from what was gained. The Turin club retained their advantage with a performance that should encourage rather than worry. They were measured in their approach, hinting at the style shown against Borussia Dortmund and one to possibly emerge in the second leg. Juve had just 35 per cent possession to half-time, but Buffon was rarely called into action. In reverting to a 3-5-2 from the start for just the second time in 2015, the Bianconeri hardly lost a step. Allegri was forced into changes and got the maximum from those replacements. Martin Caceres did a fine job as the third defender. Midfield looked a problem area for the Old Lady in the lead-in and a re-shuffle was on the cards. Andrea Pirlo limped off against Dortmund and will even miss the second leg. Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal were day-to-day propositions and potential replacement Stefano Sturaro didn’t make the trip due to his own injury concern. The Chilean recovered just in time. Marchisio stepped up as he has done prior in the absence of Pirlo and while offering a different interpretation of the role, Juventus still tick. Roberto Pereyra has been the first choice replacement for any midfield absentee, but normally in an advanced role. On Monday it was part of the midfield three and he too looked assured. Tevez took over free-kick duties and gave his best Pirlo impression to open the scoring. “I always try to copy Pirlo’s position and it’s important to watch him in training. Of course Andrea is still first choice!” Kingsley Coman’s pace gave Roma something to think about in the final moments. That versatility and depth adds to Juve’s ominous presence. In losing two of their regular starting midfielders and altering the formation they did not fold, rather showed another facet of their game and remained in control of proceedings. Credit must go to Allegri for his preparations on both a tactical and personnel level. He’s shown flexibility and no matter who takes the field, has faith in the players to carry out the task. With Roma remaining at arm’s length attention turns to the Coppa Italia tomorrow. Juventus host Fiorentina in the first leg of the semi-final as they fight on three fronts. Expect to see others get their chance to shine. The trip to Dortmund inches ever closer, but beforehand are domestic duties to tend to. Knowing they can perform even without key players makes the Bianconeri an even more frightening opponent.

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA .- Coppa Italia semi-final Thursday, March 5th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Allegri: 'We switched off against Roma' Mar 4, 2014 Juventus Coach Max Allegri warns against 'switching off' versus Fiorentina the way they did against Roma. The Old Lady face a very intense schedule, with Monday's Serie A game against Roma and tomorrow's Coppa clash against Fiorentina sandwiched between the two Champions League games against Borussia Dortmund. Allegri took the opportunity of today's pre-game press conference to look back on the game against the Giallorossi. “I think the team played a good game for 70 minutes, giving up nothing to Roma and creating some dangerous situations. “We showed that we were very compact, and also very mature. “After the goal we did quite well for another 4-5 minutes, then we switched off a little, and when you switch off in a football game it no longer matters if you're 11 versus 10. Nothing matters at all. “We were faced with a team that had gathered courage and that were throwing themselves forward with nothing to lose. “At a moment like that, if you slip out of the game, then getting back into it is hard, not to say impossible. “I think there's a lesson there, and it must help us grow. “Inbetween the 90 minutes against Dortmund and the 70 minutes against Roma, our team only conceded one goal against Dortmund, and it came after an accident by [Giorgio] Chiellini. “So I think we did really well for 160 minutes, even though the last 20 minutes ought to be erased. “They are only important because they teach us that this team still has to improve and that a game is never over till it's over, especially when the two teams are balanced in terms of technique and strength.” Allegri was also asked whether this was not a recurring problem, as his team arguably 'switched off' against Inter, Sampdoria and Cesena. “Maybe we still don't understand this concept well enough. Maybe we have to change, in which case finding the way will be down to me. “I'll have to teach the lads how to handle games like these. “But these are all different games. Against Sampdoria we allowed one shot, maybe one-and-a-half, and we conceded a goal. “In Rome we allowed three free kicks in the last 15 minutes, after going 70-75 minutes giving up only one of them. “This is what I mean when I say that we switched off. “Against Inter it was yet another game, because we should have closed on a different result after the first half, and we ended up allowing Inter to draw. “We even took some risks because we almost made the same mistake against Roma as we did against Inter at the last minute, when [goalkeeper Gianluigi] Buffon came all the way out to the midfield. “These situations show you that you have to keep your head in the game, because once you're out you lose your sense of order. “Then, when you're in a condition of disorder, the team that desperately chases the game is clearly advantaged.”

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA .- Coppa Italia semi-final Thursday, March 5th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri 'Juventus, our duty to win Coppa Italia' Mar 4, 2014 Coach Max Allegri says it is the 'duty' of Juventus to win the Coppa Italia after 20 years, and will be looking to field the 'ideal side'. The Old Lady will be up against Fiorentina tomorrow at 20:45 (local time) to dispute the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. Allegri, in his pre-game conference, stressed the cardinal importance of being in the right form. “What matters is that everybody is in a good condition,” he said. “There are some Juventus players who have covered more than 30 games. “This year we have players who had much more playing time than last season, while others had a little less. “But we have many games now and we need everyone at their best. “Against Fiorentina I may field the ones who played the most so far and maybe give them a rest on Monday against Sassuolo. “The Coppa Italia is an important objective for Juventus. It's been 20 years since we last won it, so it's our duty to make a run for it. “Therefore I'll be looking to field the ideal side for tomorrow's game.” In spite of this, the former Milan tactician still hasn't chosen the exact components to make up his starting XI. “I still haven't decided the starters who will take to the pitch tomorrow. “[Andrea] Barzagli is definitely feeling better, I'll make my mind up about him today. “Of course he hasn't played in eight months other than some friendlies, so I'll have to evaluate his situation. But we'll decide together. “Tomorrow is a Coppa semi-final, so we need the best possible formation. “The result will be decided over 180 minutes against Fiorentina, one of the most in-form teams of the championship. “They play good football and they have a good physical and mental condition. [Coach Vincenzo] Montella's teams aren't just technically skilled, they also play very well.”

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA .- Coppa Italia semi-final Thursday, March 5th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Juventus - Fiorentina Preview: Allegri demands improvement The Bianconeri drew 1-1 with 10-man Roma on Monday and the Italian is keen to see a better performance on Thursday. Mar 4, 2014 Juventus host Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg on Thursday with coach Massimiliano Allegri demanding an improved showing from his players. On Monday, the reigning Serie A champions took the lead against title rivals Roma, who had been reduced to 10 men, through Carlos Tevez's wonderful free kick. However, just when it seemed Juve would close out the win and extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points, Roma found an equaliser through Seydou Keita 12 minutes from time. The Bianconeri still hold a commanding nine-point advantage with 13 games remaining, but, as they turn to their attentions to the cup, Allegri has called for a better display. "We need to improve, as sometimes we lose sharpness and focus," he said. "We are still a long way off our objective and have conceded too many goals recently. We also have to improve in our control of the game when in front." Although Allegri was disappointed with the draw against Roma, Juve have lost only once in their past 23 games in all competitions - and that was after a penalty shootout against Napoli in the Super Cup. Meanwhile, Fiorentina - who lost out to Napoli in the final of last year's Coppa - are in fine form themselves and come into this meeting at Juventus Stadium on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions. The last of those outings saw Vincenzo Montella's side triumph 1-0 at Inter, a victory which left them fifth in Serie A, just three points adrift of a Champions League qualification spot. Mohamed Salah came off the bench to score the winner at San Siro on Sunday and Montella was quick to praise the Egyptian, who has netted three goals in four appearances since joining on loan from Chelsea. "I wanted to make the most of Salah's extraordinary form, that is why I chose him ahead of Alberto Gilardino," Montella said. "I know that when a player is going through that kind of form, it's the duty of a coach to encourage it. "I think he can play any position in attack. He attacks the space well and is very good at getting straight into the tempo of a game when coming off the bench." Juve's influential playmaker Andrea Pirlo missed the meeting against Roma with a calf problem and remains a doubt. For the visitors, Nenad Tomovic suffered a head injury against Inter and is thought unlikely to play, while Stefan Savic and Khouma Babacar are struggling with muscular problems and are being monitored. LAST FIVE MATCHES Juventus D W W D W 3/2/15 - Roma 1 - 1 Juventus 2/24/15 - Juventus 2 - 1 Borussia Dortmund 2/20/15 - Juventus 2 - 1 Atalanta 2/15/15 - Cesena 2 - 2 Juventus 2/7/15 - Juventus 3 - 1 Milan Fiorentina W W D D W 3/1/15 - Internazionale 0 - 1 Fiorentina 2/26/15 - Fiorentina 2 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2/22/15 - Fiorentina 1 - 1 Torino 2/19/15 - Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Fiorentina 2/14/15 - Sassuolo 1 - 3 Fiorentina HEAD TO HEAD 12/5/14 - Fiorentina 0 - 0 Juventus 3/20/14 - Fiorentina 0 - 1 Juventus 3/13/14 - Juventus 1 - 1 Fiorentina 3/9/14 - Juventus 1 - 0 Fiorentina 10/20/13 - Fiorentina 4 - 2 Juventus

Deja Vu! Tevez Replicates Juventus Legend’s Free Kick Mar 3, 2015 Carlos Tevez might have impressed many with his fine free kick against Roma on Monday night, however almost 32 years ago to the day a certain Juventus legend scored an almost identical effort. The legend scoring for the Bianconeri way back on March 6, 1983 in a 2-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico was none other than Michel Platini and the similarities between the two are clear for all to see. Despite the Bianconeri winning the game, they ultimately lost out in the race for the Scudetto to Roma who finished four points ahead of them. This allowed the Giallorossi to celebrate their second league title in their history. Even the goalkeepers react (well just stand and watch) in an eerily similar manner and they even took place at the same end of the ground!

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA .- Coppa Italia semi-final Thursday, March 5th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Marchisio Aiming To End Juventus Drought Mar 3, 2014 Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is desperate for the club to end a 20-year wait for Coppa Italia glory by reclaiming the peninsula’s premier cup competition this season. The Bianconeri have gone 20 years since winning the trophy, with their last win coming in 1995 – since then they have been beaten in three finals, most recently in 2012 when they were soundly beaten 2-0 by Napoli. He tweeted following his side’s game against Roma: “Now we start the workout… head on to the Coppa Italia now. Another goal for us to reach.” The Azzurri international added on his side’s 1-1 draw in the capital: “There is regret for not having brought home the three points, but we are always up there… +9!”

Juventus not giving up on Tevez stay, insists Marotta The Turin side will do everything within their limits to convince the Argentine attacker to sign a new deal with the Serie A leaders. Mar 3, 2015 Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has stressed that the Serie A side have not given up hopes of holding on to Carlos Tevez, while they are also keen for Gianluigi Buffon to stay put beyond the expiry date of his existing contract. Buffon signed a new deal as recently as November last year to commit to the club until 2017, but Tevez's current deal with the Italian champions is due to expire in June 2016 and he recently hinted at a potential return to Boca Juniors. Nevertheless, Juventus refuse to accept that the Argentine attacker will leave in the near future and are willing to go far to hold on to Tevez. "We would like to extend the contracts of Buffon and Tevez," Marotta told reporters. "They are an integral part of this Juventus. They are excellent players, true professionals. "They decide their own future. From our side, a signed blank cheque is waiting for them. "As for Tevez's individual situation, we have a desire to keep him at the club for many more years." The attacker, 31, has netted 15 goals in 23 Serie A appearances so far in 2014-15.

http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/Calcio/Serie%20A/2015/03/02-91607_0/FOTO+Roma-Juventus+1-1%3A+le+emozioni+del+big+match http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/CiLWAOdHvVU/AS+Roma+v+Juventus+FC+Serie+A/gy5hCTBG_11

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA .- Coppa Italia semi-final Thursday, March 5th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Coppa referees announced Mar 3, 2014 The AIC has announced the referees for this week’s Coppa Italia semi-finals, with Paolo Valeri taking charge of Juventus-Fiorentina. The semi-finals are a two-legged affair, the first of which take place this week as Lazio welcome Napoli and the Viola look to defeat Juventus in Turin. Paolo Valeri will take charge of the latter fixture on Thursday night, as Vincenzo Montella’s men look to reach the final for the second year in a row. Also looking to make a second-consecutive final are the Partenopei, whose trip to Rome will be officiated by Antonio Damato. Referees for the Coppa Italia semi-finals: Lazio-Napoli - Antonio Damato Juventus-Fiorentina - Paolo Valeri

Juventus And Marotta To Convince Tevez To Stay In Italy Mar 3, 2015 Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta has spoken of his desire to keep leading goal scorer Carlos Tevez at the club. The 57-year-old re-iterated the player’s value to the club just prior to this side’s game against second placed Roma on Monday evening. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, the Italian businessman was keen to respond to rumours of a Carlos Tevez exit. “Tevez? I would like to keep him,” said Marotta. “Both he and Buffon should earn respect for what they represent. They are serious professionals and great players.” Marotta, who has been with Juventus since 2010, also responded to recent comments by Antonio Cassano that he has rejected advances from the club four times. The Italian denied all knowledge of this saying: “Certainly not in my management.” The director also encouraged the Bianconeri to continue to fight to win this season’s Scudetto. “There are still many games and many points available, there is a risk of losing. Today we will honour the role of leaders and look for consistency in our results.” Juventus have won three Serie A titles since Marotta joined the club.

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Marchisio: Don't compare me to Pirlo The midfielder feels he is not at the same level as his illustrious team-mate and was pleased Juventus managed to deny Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Mar 3, 2015 Claudio Marchisio says he is a completely different player to Andrea Pirlo and should not be compared to his Juventus team-mate. The 29-year-old was used in his fellow Italy international's role in the 1-1 Serie A draw with Roma on Monday due to the latter's injury and put in a good performance in front of Juve's defence. Nevertheless, Marchisio was quick to stress he is not at the same level as Pirlo in the latter's position. "There are comparisons that can’t be made between two completely different players," Marchisio told Sky Italia. "We know what Andrea offers us. "Personally speaking, I have undergone an important evolution in a role which I enjoy playing. With the attributes and qualities I possess, I’ll try to help the team out." The central midfielder then went on to voice his satisfaction with the Scudetto holders' draw against second-placed Roma, although he feels they could have bagged the full three points with a bit more luck. "We secured an important result in Roma’s own backyard. It’s not easy to come away from here, at the home of Serie A’s second-placed side, with our nine-point advantage still intact. "Nevertheless, there’s regret at leaving with a draw. "We started well and were able to break the deadlock. We created chances when we had numerical supremacy but were unable to put the game to bed." http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Roma 1-1 Juventus: Bianconeri maintain 9-point lead at the top of Serie A table Juventus' poor late display allowed Seydou Keita's headed goal to nullify the advantage given by Carlos Tévez's neat free-kick goal. Mar 3, 2015 "Siamo noi, siamo noi! I campioni dell'Italia siamo noi..." For 14 minutes, this was one of the two things that went over and over again through my mind. The other one was the image of Andrea Barzagli and Simone Pepe running in wild celebrations to congratulate Carlos Tévez for his stunning free-kick goal. Probably one of the best quarters of an hour lived in the last months. But then what all juventini dreaded, happened. It is quite hard to explain how, after playing some great first 70 minutes — allowing Roma the possession of the ball, but at the same time, containing them and leaving no spaces for attacks — Juventus lost their cool, started making silly fouls and looked under much more threat against a 10-men-team, eventually conceding a cheap goal from a set piece. It looked like it was Juventus who had a man sent off and not the other way around. It is a bit disappointing — not because the team didn’t win, but because of the careless manner the end of the game was treated. Whether there is a nine-point or a 12-point gap at the top of the table is probably an irrelevant discussion at the moment. Okay, there would be no way Juventus would lose the fourth consecutive Scudetto after gaining a double-digit advantage, but the current lead is not something to be thrown away either. What really matters, however, is the psychological advantage. Even if it is just the beginning of March and all this Scudetto talk may sound absurd, winning against Roma at the Olimpico would just have been that final blow to their hopes of claiming a fourth Scudetto. Not in a row for them, but rather... er, fourth in Roma’s history. Max Allegri needs to work his magic again, as he has already done with great effect in several occasions in the past, and make sure players stay focused for the reminder of the season. Getting back to the winning ways away from home might help as well. There is also the first leg of the semi-final in Coppa Italia and the most important match of the season so far, the meeting with Dortmund on the Signal Iduna Park in the Champions League. There is so much coming on in the space of two weeks that it is almost frightening to think of — especially with the injury problems at the moment. That’s why the available players need to be in the right set of mind and Allegri the man to make sure this happens. Drifting off during matches like Juventus did in the last part against Roma, even for just 10 minutes, could prove more costly than ever. It could also cause certain people, who for some reasons keep seeing images of Andrea Barzagli and Simone Pepe celebrating, regain consciousness and stop dreaming with the eyes wide open — and this is most distressing, indeed. Juventus played the perfect game for the first 70 minutes, allowing Roma the possession of the ball. They created next to nothing, however, as their attacks were too slow and predictable, while the midfield was simply bossed by the bianconero trio. MATCH SUMMARY In a first half with no shots on goal and a couple of teams appearing to be taunting each other, Juventus happily gave away possession, waiting to hit on the counter. It was them who had the first notable action of the game, as Roberto Pereyra found Stephen Lichtsteiner unmarked on the right side and the Swiss delivered a low cross that was cleared by the defence. The ball reached Arturo Vidal, but his shot was poor and wide off the goal. Lichsteiner and Pereyra were, incidentally, Juventus’ best players in the first part of the game, alongside Leonardo Bonucci. The Argentine midfielder was at the heart of another potentially dangerous action in the 22nd minute when he found lots of space on the right wing and sent a low cross for the lurking Alvaro Morata, only for Kostas Manolas to deflect the ball inches wide of the post for a corner kick. Another half-decent chance was wasted by Juve five minutes later. Arturo Vidal played Patrice Evra inside Roma’s box but the Frenchman’s first-time cross got too much spin on it, reaching none of the players waiting in the area. The dull first half saw a final moment of action in the 43rd minute and the same Pereyra was the one to start it, after getting past Jose Holebas, who was waiting for referee Daniele Orsato to blow the whistle for a foul. No such whistle came though and Tévez received the ball just inside the box but his shot was slightly deflected and went behind for a corner kick. The first chance of the second half belonged to Juventus as well. Pereyra – him again – recovered a ball just inside his own half and found Vidal on the left flank but his left-footed shot from outside the box narrowly missed the target. Roma defender Vasilis Torosidis was sent off in the 62nd minute after he saw his second yellow card of the game for tripping Vidal, who almost got through on goal, outside the penalty area. In the absence of Andrea Pirlo, Tévez stepped up to take the free-kick and he didn’t fail to deliver, giving Juventus the lead. The Argentine curled his effort brilliantly over the wall and into the net past a motionless Morgan De Sanctis, scoring his 15th goal of the Serie A campaign. Pereyra and Tévez both had half-chances to extend Juventus’ lead in the following minutes but it was Roma who started to press more, even though they were playing with 10 men. Gianluigi Buffon was called into action for the first time in the game in the 72 minute. Alessandro Florenzi delivered a great cross from a free-kick and Manolas leaped over the defenders to send a header near the post, pushed behind for a corner by Buffon. Juventus made several silly fouls in their own half and following one of these set pieces, Roma managed to equalise in the 78th minute. Florenzi took another free-kick from the right side of Juve’s box and found Seydou Keita at the far post, who beat Martin Caceres to the ball and sending his header into the net, despite Claudio Marchisio’s efforts to keep the ball out. There was a late surge from Roma who were pushing for a winner, but they couldn’t create another decent opportunity to score and the game ended in a stalemate, ensuring Juventus maintain the 9-point at the top of the table. PLAYER RATINGS Buffon: 6 Had literally nothing to do in the first hour of the game, but his positioning at the goal was a bit weird. Caceres: 6 Was at fault for losing Keita at the goal, but worked well with Lichtsteiner to keep Gervinho quiet and had a steady game overall Bonucci: 6.5 By far the best Juventus’ defender. Especially good in first half, clearing a lot of balls and winning all his aerial duels. Also delivered some good long balls that were welcomed in Pirlo’s absence Chiellini: 6 Poor performance from the Italian, who seemed rather shaky lately for Juventus. Committed a silly foul just outside his box that lead to Roma’s goal Lichtsteiner: 6 The Swiss had a better performance than in many of his games this season, especially in the first half when he bossed the right flank. Decent contributions in attack and managed to contain Gervinho when needed Vidal: 6.5 Won the free-kick from which Tévez scored and was very lively in midfield in the second half – definitely better that what she showed often this season Marchisio: 7 Great performance from Il Principino, who once again proved he can easily fulfil Pirlo’s role. Good vision and ball distribution, topped with great work in defending Pereyra: 7 Juventus’ most active and dangerous player – worked tirelessly in midfield, starting almost all the attacking moves. Most welcomed performance, giving the fact Pirlo is out for at least two weeks. Evra: 6 Decent game from the Frenchman, although he wasn’t very involved in the game. Booked for a late tackle on Torosidis in the first half and had to take extra care from then Morata: 5.5 After some brilliant recent performances, the Spaniard was set to have that one-off. Was kept very quiet by Manolas and rarely linked-up with Tévez or any of the midfielders Tévez: 7.5 Wasn’t as involved as usual in attack but, as top players usually do when they have the quiet game, managed to make his mark when it mattered the most, scoring a fantastic free-kick. Subs: Coman: 6 Replaced Morata in the 83rd minute and would have had a good opportunity, had he paid more attention at his positioning when he received a ball from Tévez, as he ran offside Padoin: N/A Replaced Lichtsteiner in the stoppage time Coach: Allegri: 6.5 Got his work done nicely, as Juventus had little problems in containing Roma for most of the game and would have even gotten away with the three points if it wasn’t for the late slump. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus' apprehension keeps them from extending points gap over Roma Mar 3, 2015 We hoped for freedom of expression, we hoped for magical moments but the tactical match between Roma and Juventus was decided by two set pieces. And while the goal celebrations proved entertaining, this 1-1 draw was anything but riveting. Considering the nine-point gap at the top of the table and Roma's current woes, one expected Juve to play with an air of nonchalance -- such is their attitude when they feel secure. It was therefore surprising to see them the more motivated of the two, the side that quickly took control of the game in a match Roma had to win to prove they are worthy challengers. Organised and self assured, Juventus opted to revert to the 3-5-2 formation and barely noticed the absence of Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba, with Claudio Marchisio doing an excellent job in bossing the midfield. They weren't flamboyant and they were barely entertaining but they looked entirely comfortable, patiently playing their game and missing their chances as we have come to expect of them. Massimiliano Allegri adopted a tactical approach. He wanted his men to control the tempo, slow it down as much as possible and close down all gaps to make life difficult for an opponent who regularly profits from quick movements up top. Frustrating the home side, the Old Lady may not have had many shots on goal (one on target, 10 overall), yet their attacking game focused on provoking errors and exploiting Roma's mental fragility. This was a game focused on demonstrating their predatory nature. One could hardly expect more from Allegri's 3-5-2; it's a safe and organised formation with little room for brilliance. The result was good enough, the game was controlled, yet there is a recurring theme to Juve's performances: the players play within themselves. This was visible against Borussia Dortmund, in this match against Roma and against several other sides before them. The Bianconeri hesitate too much, hesitate in trusting their instincts and expressing themselves. Such prudence is perhaps the reason why players such as Roberto Pereyra err at the final moment, frustrating onlookers with his inefficiency. If the player was offered less time to think and forced to rely on his instinctive play, one cannot help but feel his finishing would improve as would his overall decision making. One need only watch his goal against Hellas Verona in the Coppa Italia to see how, when the player is in full flight, his technique is infallible. There is no time to contemplate his actions only time to rely on instincts. Tough games will always force sides into a cautious approach but the Giallorossi, especially in the first half, were there for the taking. At times, Juventus needn't focus on control so much but have fun with the game, especially against a back line that demonstrated their fragility and mental weakness as players argued with one another. In Serie A, whether they play within themselves or otherwise, Juve are likely to win. At the Stadio Olimpico, against their toughest challengers, their superior quality was clear to see. However, if they believed in their instincts a little more, they may well perform better in the Champions League. They have to trust that they are not only a wonderful unit but a team packed with quality and technique, whose expressive style of play may well earn them the prestige they desire. Against the Giallorossi, the Old Lady will be disappointed to have walked away with only one point, especially considering their numerical superiority in the end. Once again the squad surrendered to indifference around the time pride revived their opponents. A wasted opportunity to truly widen the gap at the top of the table, Allegri was furious in his post-match news conference and this is an issue they must address. They simply cannot continue to give up points even if they feel a result is secure. It is a bad habit that may well come back to haunt them. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Tevez: I'm as p****d off as Allegri after Roma draw The Argentine was disgusted that the Bianconeri failed to defeat their Serie A title rivals despite having a one-goal and one-man advantage. Mar 3, 2015 Carlos Tevez admitted that he was just as "p****d off" as Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri after Monday's 1-1 draw at Roma. The Argentine opened the scoring 64 minutes into the top-of-the-table clash at San Siro with a sublime, curling free-kick that had been awarded for a foul that had resulted in Giallorossi defender Vasilis Torosidis being shown a second yellow card. Juve thus looked perfectly poised to put 12 points between themselves and second-placed Roma but they allowed their hosts to snatch a draw through Seydou Keita's late, deflected header. Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri was furious that his side had thrown away two points and his frustration was shared by his star striker. "The coach is right to be annoyed," Tevez told Sky Sport Italia. "We cannot give away an important game like this, with a man more in the final 20 minutes after having done well for 70 minutes. "I'm also very p****d off. We're a strong team and the character of the squad pleased me this evening, but we cannot throw away games right at the end." As for his fantastic free-kick, Tevez admitted that he had been taking pointers from Juve's regular dead-ball specialist Andrea Pirlo, who missed the trip to Rome through injury. "I always see Andrea in training and it's important for me to copy his style a little," the former Manchester City striker added. "He's my model. Who'll have precedence when he returns? Andrea, without a doubt." http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Garcia: Roma only thinking of second place after Juventus draw The Frenchman says the Giallorossi have given up on the Scudetto after failing to reduce their nine-point deficit to the Bianconeri. Mar 2, 2015 Rudi Garcia has all but thrown in the towel in the fight for this season's Serie A title, admitting that Roma's sole concern after Monday's 1-1 draw with Juventus is holding onto second place. The Giallorossi claimed an unlikely point at the Stadio Olimpico, with Seydou Keita levelling the game with a deflected header after the hosts had fallen a man and a goal down when Carlos Tevez converted the free-kick that had resulted in the dismissal of Vasilis Torosidis for a second bookable offence. Garcia was enthused by his side's resilience and said that the Giallorossi will keep fighting right until the end of the season. However, the Frenchman nonetheless conceded that Roma had needed to reduce their nine-point deficit to Juve to keep their Scudetto hopes alive, and that their primary goal now has to be keeping third-placed Napoli at bay. "It was a very tactical game, decided on set-pieces," the Frenchman told Sky Sport Italia. "I saw an exceptional reaction on the part of Roma, who were a goal and a man down. "We're still alive. Otherwise, we would not have played like this at the end of the game. "We didn't play for the draw. It was simply that it was a tight, tactical game without any chances. "But then we saw great desire and we deserved a second goal in those final 30 minutes. "There are a lot of games left but now we need only to think about defending second place, which is what we have done this evening because we have gained a point on Napoli [who were beaten by Torino]." Roma are four points clear of Napoli, and six ahead of fourth-placed Lazio. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Tevez: Juventus Shoudn’t Relax In Such An Important Game Mar 2, 2015 Juventus striker Carlos Tevez was disappointed at how the side played for the final 20 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Roma on Monday night. The Argentine international put the Bianconeri ahead with a free-kick, before Seydou Keita equalised for the hosts, and Tevez has stated that it is an honour to have his free-kick compared with those of current UEFA president and Juve legend Michel Platini. “It’s an honour to be compared to [Michel] Platini,” he told Mediaset. “We also have [Andrea] Pirlo who takes them really well, I’m glad that I scored. “It’s a shame that we didn’t win, we played well for 70 minutes, but we can’t relax in such a decisive game. “My future? I want to stay at Juventus, I feel at home here.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Allegri: Juventus very angry after Roma draw The Bianconeri looked set to pull 12 points clear of their title rivals thanks to Carlos Tevez's free kick but they were pegged back by Seydou Keita's deflected header. Mar 2, 2015 Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri was furious after his players blew a gilt-edged opportunity to effectively end Roma's Scudetto hopes at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday. The Bianconeri looked set to open up a 12-point lead at the top of the Serie A standings when Giallorossi defender Vasilis Torosidis was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 64th minute and Carlos Tevez curled the resulting free-kick into the top corner to put the visitors ahead. However, Juve switched off at a set-piece 14 minutes later, allowing Seydou Keita to earn Roma an unlikely share of the spoils with a header that found its way into the back of the net via Claudio Marchisio. Allegri was thus bitterly frustrated that the reigning Italian champions had squandered the chance to put the game - and indeed the title race - to bed. "I was happy up until the 70th minute because the team played a truly great game," he told Sky Sport Italia. "We didn't concede anything to Roma and created some chances. "We grew a lot in the second half, took the lead and played well for another six or seven minutes. "But then we stopped playing and we didn't do what were were supposed to do on a technical level. "Roma pressed well, thanks to some of the changes they made, and we could even have lost the game at the end. "As a result, we left the field very angry. That's three away games in a row that we've failed to win [Roma, Cesena and Udinese]." Juve are still nine points clear with 13 rounds remaining but Allegri says that the Italian champions are taking nothing for granted. "We will now allow our concentration levels to drop, even if we still have a big lead and have the head-to-head record in our favour," the former AC Milan boss said. "We must start picking up more points on the road, as the league still has a long way to go. "And we first of all have to stop conceding goals. We've conceded too many lately. "We must also use the ball better in order to create more chances." Allegri was, at least, enthused by the way in which Tevez did a fine job filling in for regular set-piece specialist Andrea Pirlo, who missed the game in the Italian capital through injury. "Because Andrea wasn't available, Carlos practiced free-kicks in training all week," he added. "He's an extraordinary player - not that we only discovered that tonight." http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Player Ratings: Roma 1-1 Juventus Mar 2, 2015 Roma 26 M. De Sanctis - Could do nothing to keep out Tevez's free kick but was hardly tested for much of the match. 35 V. Torosidis - Struggled to supply the forwards from the right and was dismissed after picking up two yellow cards. 44 K. Manolas - A good performance from the Greek as he timed his challenges well, making a number of crucial tackles. 2 M. Yanga-Mbiwa - Had a few shaky moments which offered Juve opportunities but he improved after the interval. 25 J. Holebas - The left-back got a number of crosses in from the left and was a positive outlet throughout. 15 M. Pjanić - Did not see enough of the ball close to goal and therefore struggled to create, as there was also little movement. 16 D. De Rossi - Sat very deep in midfield and attempted a number of long passes in behind the defence which rarely came off. 20 S. Kéita - Offered an option through the middle, making surging runs off the ball and getting into the box, and scored the equaliser. 27 Y. Gervinho - Did not get the opportunity to run at the defence with them sitting so deep, and he contributed very little. 10 F. Totti - Dropped off the front line and left his team without a focal point, while also being guilty of slowing the play 8 A. Ljajić - The Serbian regularly ran down dead ends and gave away possession by trying to do too much. Substitutes 24 A. Florenzi - Came on for Ljajic in the 65th minute and provided the assist for the equaliser. 7 J. Iturbe - Brought on for Totti in the 71st minute and proved lively, drawing the free kick which resulted in Keita's goal. 4 R. Nainggolan - Replaced De Rossi in the 73rd minute and added some much-needed intensity. Juventus 1 G. Buffon - Stayed alert and judged when to come off his line well, also making a great save from a Manolas header. 4 M. Cáceres - Was quick to get across and cover and gaps left by Lichtsteiner but lost Keita as he headed in the equaliser. 19 L. Bonucci - Put in a strong performance aerially, ensuring he was first to the ball from most deliveries. 3 G. Chiellini - Conceded the free kick which led to Roma's equaliser, but he was barely tested by Roma's attack. 26 S. Lichtsteiner - Proved very adventurous on the right but was also solid defensively for the entirety. 23 A. Vidal - The Chilean distributed the ball well and worked extremely hard to offer support on the counterattack. 8 C. Marchisio - Sat deepest in midfield, launching counterattacks and screening the defence. 37 R. Pereyra - Proved very dynamic in midfield, protecting without possession but also racing forward on the break at every opportunity. 33 P. Evra - The left wing-back was beaten for pace by Torosidis on a couple of occasions but didn't let him get too many crosses in. 9 Álvaro Morata - Took his time when tracking back and lacked a clinical touch in the box. 10 Carlos Tévez - Managed to forge chances with little service, netting the winner with a sublime goal direct from a free kick. Substitutes 11 K. Coman - Brought on for Morata in the 83rd minute. 20 S. Padoin - Came on for Lichtsteiner in the 91st minute. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Allegri: Roma Played With Courage Mar 2, 2015 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri praised the courage of Roma’s 10 men in the draw against his side at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Monday night. Carlos Tevez put Juventus ahead from a free kick after Vasilis Torosidis had been dismissed for a second yellow card, but Seydou Keita dragged the game level when his header nestled in the visitor’s net in the 78th minute. “Roma showed a lot of courage. [Rudi] Garcia made three crucial changes and at that point, the numerical advantage meant nothing because our players were tired,” he told Sky Sport. Allegri felt disappointed that his side surrendered their lead, in a game where Roma failed to register a shot on Gianluigi Buffon’s goal until the 78th minute, stating that there is a lot to go in the season despite possessing a nine point lead over the Giallorossi at the top of the table. “I’m happy with my team’s performance until the 70th minute, but then we stopped playing. Roma did well to push us at the end when we were not alert enough,” he said. “This draw has made us leave the field feeling pretty angry. A nine point advantage is still a big lead, but there’s still a long way to go in the season.” In the absence of rested Paul Pogba and injured Andrea Pirlo, the former AC Milan boss was delighted with the effort of goalscorer Carlos Tevez. “He had been practising free kicks this week given Andrea’s absence. He is an extraordinary player, and we found that out for sure tonight,” he said. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Marchisio: 'Juve have regrets' Mar 2, 2015 Claudio Marchisio said Juventus “cannot make these mistakes” after dropping a lead to draw with 10-man Roma. Carlos Tevez had put the Bianconeri in front before Seydou Keita’s equaliser sparked a period of late pressure. “If we look at the result, then it was another important performance from Juve to get a point away to the second-placed team,” Marchisio told Sky Sport Italia. “Considering the way the match went, especially in the second half, there are bound to be regrets. We had taken the lead and had other opportunities to finish it off with an extra man, but didn’t take them. “On a night like this we really cannot make these mistakes.” Marchisio filled in for the injured Andrea Pirlo in the deep-lying playmaker position, but isn’t getting any ideas about replacing the ‘Maestro.’ “We are beyond comparison! We’re completely different players and the whole world knows what Andrea can give. “I try to give my best with my own characteristics in that role when I am given the opportunity.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Allegri: 'Angry at this draw' Mar 2, 2015 Max Allegri was “very angry” after Juventus fumbled a Scudetto match point against 10-man Roma. The nine-point gap is unchanged at the top of the table, but the Bianconeri conceded the equaliser when they were playing against 10 men. Is this therefore a wasted opportunity? “It is a step forward, but considering the way the game was going we really should’ve done better. We played badly in the final 20 minutes,” he told Sky Sport Italia after a 1-1 draw. “I was happy until the 70th minute, as we allowed Roma nothing and improved after the break. Once we took the lead, we played another six or seven minutes well, but then sort of stopped playing. “We leave the field very angry after this draw. It’s true nine points are a good margin, but we have got to start winning away from home, as we haven’t done so in three games now. “It’s not easy for Roma, but there are many points still up for grabs. It’s disappointing to only get a draw from this game and we even risked losing it on another free kick. “We need to improve, as sometimes we lose sharpness and focus. We are still a long way off our objective and have conceded too many goals recently. We also have to improve in our control of the game when in front. “Once Roma get into gear and have a series of free kicks around the box, that is naturally going to give confidence to the opposition. “The lads did very well to slow Roma’s tempo and stop them going on the counter. However, we need to be less hasty when in the lead and know when to control the match.” Carlos Tevez curled in a magnificent set-piece. Has he been learning from Andrea Pirlo? “He has been training on free kicks this week. Seeing as Andrea was injured, we needed to find someone who could take the free kicks. He’s extraordinary, we all knew that already.” Kingsley Coman was the first substitution, replacing Alvaro Morata. “I wanted to introduce him earlier, but there were three free kicks in a row and I don’t like to remove someone who is good in the air on a free kick situation.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Tevez: 'I copied Pirlo' Mar 2, 2015 Carlos Tevez revealed he’s been “watching” Andrea Pirlo and trying to copy his free kick technique for Juventus. With Pirlo out injured, Carlitos took free kick duties and curled in a magnificent effort in their 1-1 draw with Roma. “I always try to copy Pirlo’s position and it’s important to watch him in training. Of course Andrea is still first choice!” he told Sky Sport Italia. Max Allegri said he was “angry” that the Bianconeri only came away with a 1-1 draw. “The Coach is right to be angry, as we got it completely wrong after 70 fine minutes and risked losing it. “We showed character and did very well, but after the goal against 10 men we should not have gifted Roma such an important game. We are a strong team and didn’t prove it in the last 20 minutes.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Player Ratings: Tevez tops tactical Bianconeri performance Mar 2, 2015 Juventus drew 1-1 away to Roma at the Olimpico on Monday night, with a magnificent Carlos Tevez free-kick almost earning his side victory. Coach Massimiliano Allegri set his stall out to avoid defeat, playing a very deep defensive line which stifled the Giallorossi’s usual quick football. Tevez was the pick of the Bianconeri players, scoring the decisive goal that maintains his side’s nine point lead in the race for the title. Rudi Garcia’s side looked lethargic and devoid of ideas for most of the match and only sprung into life after the introduction of their substitutes Alessandro Florenzi and Juan Iturbe. A magnificent performance from Keita made the difference, his headed goal ensuring Juve did not extend their lead at the top of table. ROMA Morgan De Sanctis – 5.5 – Attentive - Didn’t have an overly busy night with just a few balls to deal with. No chance with the Carlos Tevez free kick though seemingly at loggerheads with team mate Kostas Manolas, arguing as they left the field at half time. Vasilis Torosidis – 5.5 – Unfortunate - Decent start for the Greek full back, looked to get forward and support the strikers as often as possible even though his input was often lacking in quality. Unlucky to be sent off with second yellow which appeared an unavoidable trip on Arturo Vidal. Kostas Manolas – 7 – Crucial - A first half block was almost turned into his own net but important as Alvaro Morata was poised to score. Looks composed and the best Roma defender right now. Mapou Yanga Mbiwa – 5.5 – Limited - Too many errors for a centre back. Will do something right then something terribly wrong which will have Garcia and fans hearts in their mouth. Jose Holebas – 6 – Danger - Great battle with Lichtsteiner, possibly lost out to the Juve wing-back but managed to get more crosses into Buffon’s box than any other Roma player. Miralem Pjanic – 5.5 – Missing - Neat and tidy but little to worry the opposition. Too many sideways passes that had minor impact on the play. Lacking in confidence as well as inspiration. Daniele De Rossi – 5 – Nervous - Too many fouls and looked uneasy. Roma looked much more effective after his substitution which will give Garcia food for thought. Seydou Keita – 7 – Magical - Worked hard in the centre of the park but tried to break into the box as often as he could, especially when the ball was in wide areas, giving the Juve defence something to think about. Scored the header that might just keep the title race alive a while longer. Gervinho – 5.5 – Quiet - Failed to use any of his pace against an organised Juve defence that never allowed him to get in behind the centre backs. Looked out of sorts for such an experienced player. Francesco Totti – 5 – Sterile - The Juventus deep defensive line hurt the Roma skipper the most, suffocated for most of the game and unable to find space. Lack of pace makes him easy to mark if he fails to find room for maneuver. The team looked better without him. Adem Ljajic – 6 – Lively - Great dribbling but usually found himself surrounded by black and white shirts. Unable to work himself into the 18 yard box where his skills can make a difference. Substitutes Alessandro Florenzi (65 mins) – 6.5 Juan Iturbe (70 mins) – 6.5 Radja Nainggolan (72 mins) – 6.5 JUVENTUS Gianluigi Buffon – 6 – Reliable - No fault for goal but made one good stop from a Kostas Manolas header as well as being quick off his line when necessary. Martin Caceres – 5.5 – Quick - Matched both Ljajic and Gervinho for pace as the two Roma wide men switched flanks throughout the match but was beaten in the air by Seydou Keita allowing the Giallorossi to snatch a point. Leonardo Bonucci – 6 – Average - Organised his defence impressively in the first 70 minutes but looked all at sea once the home side seemingly found the courage to attack after having gone down to ten men. Giorgio Chiellini – 6 – Organised - Won every aerial battle and looked composed throughout the match. Juve’s most consistent defender on the night. Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6.5 – Positive - His usual swashbuckling self, attacking the right side whilst also offering plenty in the defensive stage. Was one of the Bianconeri’s most dangerous outlets. Arturo Vidal – 6 – Ordinary - A hard-working performance but fans will be expecting more from the midfielder given his displays from the past. One great chance that shaved the foot of the Roma post when arguably he should have hit the target. Claudio Marchisio – 6 – Sacrificed - Not allowed as much of the ball as he might have hoped, being pegged back defensively for most of the match as Juventus looked to avoid as many risks as possible. Roberto Pereyra – 6.5 – Vital - Slotted into the Juventus midfield with ease despite the missing Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba. Recovered balls as well initiating attacks, a quality squad player that would walk into many other Serie A sides. Patrice Evra – 6 – Concentrated - Not quite as dynamic as his team mate Lichtsteiner, but effective in attack as well as ensuring that Torosidis did not have to much space down that left flank. Alvaro Morata – 5 – Ineffective - Reprimanded by his coach on numerous occasions for lack of movement and misplaced passes. Maybe the magnitude of the game affected the youngster, who certainly looked miles away from the striker we have witnessed of late. CARLOS TEVEZ – 7.5 – Decisive - Did little throughout much of the game but punished Roma with a great free kick following the Torosidis sending off. An incredible weapon to have, makes the difference when you least expect it. Is there anything Tevez cannot do?! Substitutes Kingsley Coman (82 mins) – N/A Simone Padoin (89 mins) – N/A http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Sleepy stalemate keeps Juventus' Serie A lead over Roma intact Mar 2, 2015 Three quick thoughts from Roma's 1-1 draw with Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night. 1. Drab draw While the first meeting between the two sides in Serie A this season was a spectacular affair, even without the controversies and conspiracies, Monday night's meeting miserably failed to hit the spot before a red card for Vasileios Torosidis brought some life to proceedings. Even lovers of tactics would have been left disappointed because, quite frankly, there was little of that either. Italy's two strongest teams, based on the current classification and recent seasons, merely cancelled each other out in a crowded midfield. It was a disjointed game in which the repeated shrill of the referee's whistle would have had any misophonia sufferer in a burning rage. With such congestion in midfield and a mutual attitude of "we attack, you defend; you attack, we defend," no topos could be elaborated. The most inventive move of the night came from Rudy Garcia, switching Gervinho over to the left and Francesco Totti to the right. It did not confuse anybody, apart from perhaps the two Roma forwards. The game lacked any form of construction or creativity; there was no flow or fluidity. It just got too crowded in a midfield lacking two protagonists with a capital P -- Pirlo and Pogba. Juve did not try to mask that their midfield was weaker without the two catalysts of their game. It was not until they received a helping hand from Torosidis in the 63rd minute that they finally sensed and seized an opportunity having been uncharacteristically defensive up to then. Carlos Tevez whipped in the resulting free kick after the Greek defender was dismissed, and it was -- finally -- game on. While the Olimpico erupted when Seydou Keita brought Roma level with 12 minutes remaining, and while it was hard to tell which side was playing with only 10 men as only Roma wanted to win this game, it will nonetheless not go down as a classic. The end result is one the Roma fans have seen a little too much of this season, and the main reason these two sides, who could not be separated on Monday night, have a gulf between them after 25 rounds of the Serie A season. 2. Roma's drawing disease As Daniele De Rossi said on the eve of the game, Roma's problem was not that controversial defeat to the Bianconeri in Turin, but a run of draws the local media have labelled Pareggite, a pun on the Italian word for a draw: pareggio. Their "drawitis" continued on Monday night with their ninth in their last 12 Serie A matches. Not only has that enabled Juventus to open up a nine-point cushion at the top of the table, it has also allowed Napoli, Lazio and Fiorentina to move uncomfortably close to what at one stage seemed a guaranteed berth in the UEFA Champions League next season. Even though Roma have not lost a league game since Nov. 1, when they were defeated 2-0 in Naples, they have not won many either. Their last victory at the Stadio Olimpico was the 4-2 triumph over Inter Milan on Nov. 30, hence the reason Rudi Garcia is now more concerned with what is going on over his shoulder than what's ahead of them. Roma have at least played Fiorentina home and away, and their advantage in that head-to-head record is worth an extra point over the Viola. They host Napoli on Easter Saturday, when they need to better the 2-0 result from the San Paolo to lead that particular head-to-head, while the Rome derby -- which at this stage could potentially decide between a place in the Champions League or the Europa League, or even between a place in Europe or out of it -- will be staged on the penultimate weekend of the season, with Lazio the nominal hosts. By then, Roma will hope to have passed by a doctor and found a cure for their ailment before it is too late. 3. Serie A and Serie A2 With Roma and Juventus' draw in the Italian capital on Monday night, a clear division remains in Serie A heading into the last 13 games of the season. While Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri rightly calculated that 39 points are still up for grabs -- and his side's nine-point advantage therefore means it will be another six weeks at the very least before they are able to celebrate a fourth straight Scudetto -- the race for the title is more or less over. The Bianconeri have dropped just 15 points in 25 games, and it is hard to imagine them fluffing their lines at the curtain call. Serie A therefore appears to belong to the Old Lady once again, with Serie A2 holding the real excitement in Italy this season. Monday's draw means Roma are just four points ahead of Napoli, the side they host on Easter Saturday in what is looking an increasingly mouth-watering encounter at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma have between now and then to establish a big enough advantage not to risk falling behind Rafael Benitez's men as the Giallorossi's season starts to look compromised after their latest disappointing result at home. That may become more challenging even without them kicking a ball. Parma's destiny may have a major influence on which clubs join Juve in the Champions League next season. Parma picked up a draw with Roma in one of their few games in the second half of the season, but should they be declared bankrupt, all of their remaining fixtures -- and exclusively those -- would be forfeited. Napoli, Fiorentina, Lazio and even the longer shots Inter Milan, Sampdoria and Genoa all stand to gain three points on the Giallorossi without even taking to the field, each receiving 3-0 wins. Were Parma's imminent bankruptcy and exclusion from the remainder of the season to be sanctioned right now, it would make for particularly interesting reading at the top of the table. Napoli would move to just a point behind Roma, Lazio two further behind with Fiorentina another point back. Sampdoria and Genoa would both have a realistic chance of Champions League qualification, and even Inter could be in with a shout. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111