Socrates

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

ROMA - JUVENTUS 1 - 1 Carlos Tévez (64') Seydou Kéita (78') Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Keita: Draw Not Enough For Roma Mar 2, 2015 Roma midfielder Seydou Keita has stated that the draw against Juventus is not enough for his side. The Malian international found the net as the Giallorossi came back from behind to draw 1-1 against the Bianconeri at the Stadio Olimpico, despite being one man down following the sending off of Vasilis Torosidis, however the capital club find themselves nine points off Juve in first. “We had to double our efforts after Torosidis was sent off, but that’s because we needed all three points,” he told Mediaset. “The draw isn’t enough for us. “However, don’t forget that we played against a great side. “Juventus are much more calm, that’s the difference between both teams.” Roma’s upcoming game will be away to Chievo on Sunday March 8. 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 No Pirlo, no Pogba – but Juventus still on another level to regretful Roma The Giallorossi rallied late on, but a Bianconeri side missing their two midfield stars were comfortably the better side as they maintained their huge lead in Serie A. Mar 2, 2015 By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent Instead of selling a season review DVD this summer, Roma might be well advised to simply release the footage of their 1-1 draw with Juventus. In terms of the feeling of ‘what if?’ which met the final whistle, it represents their 2014-15 campaign in microcosm form. A string of draws since Christmas and a three-month run without a home win have combined to rule the capital club out of the title race, and had they started Monday’s top-of-the-table clash with the champions as they finished it they may well have had reason to believe again. As it is they are still undoubtedly second-best, and the 90 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico showed why. James Pallotta had suggested at the weekend that his club’s misfortunes in recent weeks were largely down to injuries. “Unfortunately we’ve been penalised by lots of injuries, starting with Kevin Strootman and Leandro Castan. Just think if Juventus lost Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba for the whole season…,” the Giallorossi president pondered to Roma Radio. It may have been only the second time in 2014-15 that Juve had started a game without their two pivotal midfielders, but this was Roma’s chance to prove that they really could compete with the Bianconeri. Pogba was sat on the bench, but Roberto Pereyra was a more than adequate replacement in the middle third. There was no Pirlo due to the ankle injury he sustained against Borussia Dortmund last week, but when a set-piece chance came along Carlos Tevez proved to be equally as deadly. The Bianconeri were happy to watch Roma play in front of them, playing like a team with a nine-point lead at the top of the Serie A table. The home side, though, were clueless in how to get things going between midfield and attack. There was no urgency, no desire. They were second best for most of the fixture, despite the lack of Pirlo and Pogba in the Juve ranks. Only after Tevez had curled home a free-kick when Vassilis Torosidis was sent off for a foul on Arturo Vidal did Roma come to life. Juve played the game situation superbly, but Rudi Garcia’s men were far too reactive. After the double blow of losing a goal and a man, the Frenchman threw on Juan Iturbe and Radja Nainggolan for Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi. Thereafter, Roma looked far more dynamic, and Iturbe won the free-kick from which Seydou Keita equalised. It was about the first time they had truly tested Gianluigi Buffon. “We wanted three points and we only got one. We are very disappointed but we played against a great team,” said goalscorer Keita to Sky Sport after the game, but Roma will be left regretting not getting at Massimiliano Allegri’s side long before they fell behind. Juve stay nine points clear with 13 games to play, and moreover they remain the team to beat in Serie A. Roma, meanwhile, are still a very distant second best with the Scudetto race long since over. 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: Keita Rescues Point For 10-Man Giallorossi The Malian stand-in captain rallied to level the score 12 minutes from time and prevent the Bianconeri from extending their nine point lead at the top. Mar 2, 2015 Roma’s 10 men found the resolve to earn a 1–1 draw against Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night in Serie A, courtesy of a Seydou Keita header after Carlos Tevez had put the visitors ahead with a beautifully curled-in free-kick. The match began in a much more cagey fashion than the explosive 3–2 encounter had in October. Both teams worked hard to deny space to their opponents and remained defensively solid. Roma looked to keep hold of the ball and build up patiently during the first half, but struggled to create opportunities, despite having almost twice as much of the possession. Their most promising moment of the first half came when Jose Holebas crossed from deep to find Keita, but the 35-year-old fluffed his control as the ball bounced off his chest and into Buffon’s grateful grasp. Massimiliano Allegri’s men looked the more likely to break the deadlock. Arturo Vidal fired wide with a volley, after a Stephan Lichtsteiner run into the box caused chaos in the Giallorossi defence and prompted a hasty clearance. Carlos Tevez also had a shot blocked wide from the edge of the area on the right. But the best chance for the visitors before the break was almost a gift from Kostas Manolas. The young Greek was inches from scoring at the wrong end, with his side-footed clearance whistling past Morgan De Sanctis’ as he looked to prevent Roberto Pereyra’s cross from finding Alvaro Morata. The game took a significant turn 18 minutes into the second half though, when Torosidis received his marching orders with a second booking after clipping the heels of Vidal as the Chilean just outside the penalty area. Juventus wasted no time in capitalising on their advantage, as Tevez sublimely curled the ball into the top left corner from the resulting free kick to put the visitors ahead and send the away fans into raptures, while a deathly silence fell over the rest of the Olimpico. A response from the hosts seemed unlikely, but Gianluigi Buffon was finally tested on 72 minute when Manolas jumped highest to meet Alessandro Florenzi’s free-kick. Losing a man and a goal appeared to have woken up the Giallorossi, whose 10 men pushed hard for an equaliser. Keita who had taken the armband from the substituted Francesco Totti, refused to accept his side’s fate and made the difference when he met another Florenzi free-kick at the far post and saw his header bundle over the line after hitting Claudio Marchisio on the way. Rudi Garcia’s men suddenly looked like taking all three points from a shell shocked Juventus, but their efforts came too late as the game ended 1–1. 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 claw back for draw with Juventus despite red card Mar 2, 2015 Seydou Keita salvaged a 1-1 draw for 10-man Roma after Carlos Tevez struck for Juventus, but the result does little for their scudetto aspirations. Rudi Garcia's side needed a win to haul back valuable ground on their table-topping rivals, but it was the Old Lady who grabbed the initiative when Vasilis Torosidis saw red after the hour-mark and Tevez curled home the resulting free kick. Keita capitalised on nervy defending to nod home a scruffy equaliser and preserve Roma's impressive unbeaten home record, although they remain nine points behind Juve and the visitors will now certainly feel they are closing in on a fourth consecutive title. Arturo Vidal recovered from injury to take his place in the starting line-up for Juve, but a calf complaint meant there was no place for Andrea Pirlo. The veteran playmaker's absence was keenly felt in a tense first half that saw chances at a premium for both sides, although the Serie A leaders edged proceedings. Vidal was involved in the only major flashpoint of the first 20 minutes when he was recklessly scythed down by Torosidis' wild two-footed lunge. Roma's tough-tackling approach was evident almost straight away in a dogged midfield war, but that time the 29-year-old Greek was fortunate to only see yellow as he got nowhere near the ball and took Vidal out. Massimiliano Allegri's side almost got their noses in front shortly after when Roberto Pereyra's teasing low cross to the far post was nearly diverted into his own net by Roma's Kostas Manolas. The former Olympiacos centre back was a bit too casual as he toe-poked the delivery just wide, with Tevez breathing down his neck, causing a collective gasp among the Stadio Olimpico faithful. But Juve finally got their reward on the hour mark, inflicting a ruthless double blow on Roma. First, Torosidis saw red for clipping Vidal's heels from behind as he scampered through on goal - this yellow was more unfortunate than the earlier one, with questions asked over whether there was indeed contact, but he can have few complaints overall about having an early bath. Then Tevez exquisitely dispatched the resulting free kick from just outside the box to give the reigning champions the lead. Tevez, notching his 15th goal of the season, got such a wicked dip on the shot that it was up and over the wall before Roma keeper Morgan De Sanctis could even flinch, let alone stop it going into the top right corner. As if sparked into life the hosts suddenly started asking questions, with Manolas leaping well to force a good save out of Gianluigi Buffon on the ground in greasy conditions, before Keita equalised in the 78th minute. The former Barcelona midfielder nodded Alessandro Florenzi's deep free-kick delivery back across goal, which created havoc as Claudio Marchisio was unable to shift his feet and clear it on the line as it bumbled over, but the visitors will be happier with the result. 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 Juve held by 10-man Roma The Scudetto showdown ended in a 1-1 draw, as 10-man Roma fought back from a magnificent Carlos Tevez free kick. Mar 2, 2015 As the Bianconeri won 3-2 earlier this season, they now have the advantage in the head-to-head record, so if the teams finish level then Juve will win the title. There was a nine-point gap at the top of the table and the Giallorossi had drawn six of their last seven Serie A games, but were fresh from a morale-boosting 2-1 Europa League win at Feyenoord. Juve had won five of their last six League meetings with Roma, home and away. Paul Pogba was only fit enough for the bench due to a thigh problem, with Andrea Pirlo, Romulo, Kwadwo Asamoah, Stefano Sturaro and Luca Marrone injured. Seydou Doumbia, Victor Ibarbo, Douglas Maicon, Kevin Strootman and Leandro Castan missed out for the hosts. Daniele De Rossi risked a booking after 17 seconds for felling Arturo Vidal, who had been in doubt for the game with a bruised back. Kostas Manolas risked an own goal when intercepting Roberto Pereyra’s roll across for an unmarked Alvaro Morata, who just needed to tap in at the back post. Patrice Evra also pulled back from the by-line on the counter, but nobody was able to get the final touch. Seydou Keita was getting forward a lot for the hosts and couldn’t quite get a smart Jose Holebas cross under control after it skimmed Francesco Totti’s head. Carlos Tevez almost pounced on a terrible Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa back-pass, but Morgan De Sanctis managed to hoof it clear. Tevez was again dangerous on the counter after Roberto Pereyra rode three tackles, but his angled drive was deflected off target. Roma had 65 per cent possession going into the break, but neither side had a shot on target and it’s the first time that has happened for Juve this season. After the restart an Adem Ljajic error sparked a counter-attack and Vidal’s daisy-cutter shaved a coat of paint off the base of the far post. Stephan Lichtsteiner blasted wide, but there was a turning point when Roma went down to 10 men on 62 minutes. Vasilis Torosidis had already been booked when he clipped Vidal’s heel not far outside the box. From that free kick, Tevez showed he can match Pirlo with a magnificent curler over the wall and into the near top corner. It left Morgan De Sanctis rooted to the spot. Pereyra burst into the box moments later, hitting the side-netting, but Gigi Buffon finally had to make a save on 71 minutes, getting down to palm a Manolas header round the upright. Even down to 10 men, Roma got their equaliser. Alessandro Florenzi curled a free kick to the back post for a Seydou Keita free header and Claudio Marchisio failed in his attempted goal-line clearance. That free kick was earned by Juan Manuel Iturbe, who made a strong impact drawing a series of fouls and firing wide. The goal seemed to shake Roma out of their nerves and Radja Nainggolan drilled at Buffon, then the goalkeeper sprinted off his line to clear from Gervinho when the offside trap failed. It ended a goal apiece and 11 yellow cards, including two for Torosidis. Roma: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas; Pjanic, De Rossi (Nainggolan 73), Keita; Gervinho, Totti (Iturbe 71), Ljajic (Florenzi 65) Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner (Padoin 89), Vidal, Marchisio, Pereyra, Evra; Morata (Coman 83), Tevez Ref: Orsato Sent off: Torosidis 62 ® 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: Keita rescues point for 10-man Giallorossi The Malian earned the hosts a precious point after Carlos Tevez looked to have sealed the Scudetto with his stunning free-kick, just seconds after Vasilis Torosidi's dismissal. Mar 2, 2015 A late Seydou Keita equaliser just about kept Roma's Serie A title hopes alive as the 10-man Giallorossi snatched a 1-1 draw at home to leaders Juventus. Carlos Tevez looked to have extended the Bianconeri's advantage over Rudi Garcia's team at the top of the table to 12 points when he curled home a delightful 25-yard free-kick shortly after the hour mark at Stadio Olimpico. Roma's task was made even tougher by the fact Vasilis Torosidis had been given a second yellow card for the foul on Arturo Vidal that led to Tevez's free-kick. However, Keita's close-range header found its way in 12 minutes from time to earn the hosts a 1-1 draw in a fiery, disjointed encounter littered with bookings and fouls and devoid of much goalmouth action. Neither Gianluigi Buffon nor Morgan De Sanctis were really tested in the first half, and it was only after Torosidis received his second caution - the seventh of the game - for a trip on Vidal that the game burst to life. Tevez then superbly curled home his 15th league goal of the season, only for Keita to snatch a point for Garcia's men. Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri will likely see the draw as a job well done, though, as Roma missed the chance to close the gap to six points with 13 matches remaining. Roma enforcer Daniele De Rossi set the tone for a scrappy encounter when he scythed down Vidal just 17 seconds in. Neither an unfit Paul Pogba nor the injured Andrea Pirlo were beside Vidal in Juve's midfield, but Allegri's team edged the opening stages regardless. Chances were few and far between in the opening 20 minutes, as Kostas Manolas was forced to clear Vidal's dangerous pass with Alvaro Morata lurking behind him before Roberto Pereyra failed to connect with Patrice Evra's delivery from the left. Tevez burst forward and shot wide three minutes before the break, but the sides went in level after a low-key half in which neither side registered a shot on target. Pereyra fired across De Sanctis early in the second period as Juve continued to have the better of the play, despite Roma's greater need for all three points. However, any hopes Roma had of closing the gap with a victory were dashed just after the hour, as Torosidis received his second yellow card and Tevez compounded their misery with his wonderful free-kick. But Roma kept battling, and were rewarded Keita nodded Alessandro Florenzi's set-piece back across goal and Marchisio unable to stop the ball creeping over the line as the home side just about stayed in the title race. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS .- Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato HT 0-0: Tevez scares Roma Mar 2, 2015 Carlos Tevez had the best scoring opportunities of the first half, but Roma and Juventus are still goalless. There was a nine-point gap at the top of the table and the Giallorossi had drawn six of their last seven Serie A games, but were fresh from a morale-boosting 2-1 Europa League win at Feyenoord. Juve had won five of their last six League meetings with Roma, home and away. Paul Pogba was only fit enough for the bench due to a thigh problem, with Andrea Pirlo, Romulo, Kwadwo Asamoah, Stefano Sturaro and Luca Marrone injured. Seydou Doumbia, Victor Ibarbo, Douglas Maicon, Kevin Strootman and Leandro Castan missed out for the hosts. Daniele De Rossi risked a booking after 17 seconds for felling Arturo Vidal, who had been in doubt for the game with a bruised back. Kostas Manolas risked an own goal when intercepting Roberto Pereyra’s roll across for an unmarked Alvaro Morata, who just needed to tap in at the back post. Patrice Evra also pulled back from the by-line on the counter, but nobody was able to get the final touch. Seydou Keita was getting forward a lot for the hosts and couldn’t quite get a smart Jose Holebas cross under control after it skimmed Francesco Totti’s head. Carlos Tevez almost pounced on a terrible Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa back-pass, but Morgan De Sanctis managed to hoof it clear. Tevez was again dangerous on the counter after Roberto Pereyra rode three tackles, but his angled drive was deflected off target. Roma 0-0 Juventus (Half-Time) Roma: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas; Pjanic, De Rossi, Keita; Gervinho, Totti, Ljajic Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Marchisio, Pereyra, Evra; Morata, Tevez Ref: Orsato http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Pareggio Roma

E possono ringraziare il Torino che ha battuto il Napoli altrimenti anche il secondo posto era in pericolo.

CARLOS TEVEZ 0-1

Fuori Torosidis

Abbiamo due giorni di riposo in piú. Nel secondo tempo la Roma sará piú stanca di noi e li possiamo colpire.

La Juve é piú forte

La Roma si sta impaurendo.

Meglio per noi. Lo 0-0 é ottimo.

Non se la sente di chiudere il campionato.

Torosidis killer

ROMA - JUVENTUS .- Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Marotta: 'Roma like provincials' Mar 2, 2015 Juventus director Beppe Marotta insisted Roma are as likely to win as “a provincial side starving for points.” “It is an important game, but there are many points available and the risk of losing here is the same as the risk of losing against a provincial side that is starving for points,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. “We must honour the game and give our all to achieve the full points, just as we do every week.” Marotta was also asked about Antonio Cassano’s claims he turned down Juventus four times. “I don’t know when that was, but it certainly wasn’t in the last five years. Maybe in the past, but since I’ve been here we have not sought Cassano.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS .- Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Line-ups: Roma-Juventus Mar 2, 2015 Roma and Juventus go head-to-head in the Scudetto showdown, as Francesco Totti aims to re-open the title race. There are nine points separating first and second, while Torino did Roma a huge favour last night by beating third-placed Napoli, ensuring whatever happens this weekend they will retain their spot. The last time these sides met it was a fiery 3-2 Juve victory in Turin, although Rudi Garcia had complaints about the refereeing on all three goals. Roma slipped back after a series of stalemates and have drawn their last four home fixtures, but were given a huge confidence boost by Thursday’s 2-1 Europa League victory over Feyenoord. Totti starts in the trident attack with Adem Ljajic and Gervinho, who both found the net in Rotterdam. Seydou Doumbia, Victor Ibarbo, Douglas Maicon, Kevin Strootman and Leandro Castan are sidelined with Juan Manuel Iturbe able to play only up to an hour. Surprisingly, Radja Nainggolan is benched in favour of Miralem Pjanic and Seydou Keita. Juventus have injury problems too, as Andrea Pirlo is out for three weeks, while Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal both had issues over the last few days. Pogba has been rested due to that inflammation of the thigh muscle, but Vidal does start despite a bruised back. Stefano Sturaro was a late addition to the injury list along with Kwadwo Asamoah, Romulo and Luca Marrone. With the midfielders dropping out in numbers, Max Allegri returns to a 3-5-2 system with Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra as wing-backs, moving Roberto Pereyra into the middle. Capocannoniere Carlos Tevez is partnered by impressive Alvaro Morata, preferred to Fernando Llorente. In Serie A, Roma’s last victory over Juventus was 1-0 here in February 2013, followed by three consecutive defeats home and away. In fact, the Giallorossi have lost five of their last six Serie A encounters with Juve. Last season the Bianconeri emerged 1-0 winners from the Olimpico thanks to Daniel Osvaldo’s goal deep into stoppages. Roma: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas; Pjanic, De Rossi, Keita; Gervinho, Totti, Ljajic Roma bench: Skorupski, Curci, Astori, Spolli, Cole, Nainggolan, Florenzi, Ucan, Paredes, Verde, Sanabria, Iturbe Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Marchisio, Pereyra, Evra; Morata, Tevez Juventus bench: Storari, Rubinho, Barzagli, Ogbonna, De Ceglie, Padoin, Pogba, Pepe, Coman, Llorente, Matri http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

ROMA - JUVENTUS .- Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Tevez: 'Right Juve attitude' Mar 2, 2015 Carlos Tevez said Juventus “must have the right attitude” against Roma in tonight’s clash. “It is an important game and we know it will be difficult. It’s a game where we cannot give away anything,” Tevez told Mediaset Premium. “We must have the right attitude. Do we risk being too comfortable? I think there’s risks for both sides. We need to get on that pitch and do what we know we can.” Andrea Pirlo is out injured, while Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal are carrying knocks. “We have a determined midfield and must play deeper to keep the ball and control the game.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Chiellini: Juventus’ Scudetti Were Ours, Not Just Conte’s Mar 2, 2015 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini spoke ahead of Monday evening’s Serie A clash against Roma, stating that they are out to prove their worth as players. Juventus, despite the coaching change from Antonio Conte to Massimiliano Allegri, have maintained their grip on Serie A and remained top throughout the season. In a long interview on Monday morning, Chiellini spoke about their determination to beat Roma and move closer to a fourth successive Scudetto, in order to prove that Juventus’ past successes were also the players’ and not just former coach Conte’s. “Despite the shock of Conte’s departure, with Allegri, we have managed to remain top of the league,” Chiellini said to Corriere della Sera. “The change in coach has given us the edge and anger to want to prove ourselves. “We are grateful to Conte and his staff, but we want to clarify [this year] that our titles were not just about the coach. “In the second and third years with Conte we needed a slap; at the start of this season we got that slap [with Allegri].”

ROMA - JUVENTUS .- Monday, March 2nd, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Daniele Orsato Pogba rested for Roma? Mar 2, 2015 Paul Pogba is unlikely to be risked for Juventus’ trip to Roma tonight, with the Bianconeri set to revert to 3-5-2. The midfielder has been struggling with a thigh injury, but was included in Massimiliano Allegri’s squad for the Scudetto showdown. However, the Corriere dello Sport, believes that the Frenchman will not be risked for tonight’s match, with Roberto Pereyra taking his place in midfield. In this morning’s training session, the Old Lady lined up with a 3-5-2 system, suggesting that Allegri will revert to that shape with Pogba and Andrea Pirlo absent. Martin Caceres is likely to come into the side at centre-back alongside Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, while Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra taking up the wing-back roles. Alvaro Morata is again expected to partner Carlos Tevez in attack. Roma are also expected to make a tactical change, moving away from their customary 4-3-3 to start in a 4-2-3-1 shape. The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport reports that Adem Ljajic, Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho will sit behind Francesco Totti up front, with Daniele De Rossi and Radja Nainggolan anchoring the midfield. Jose Holebas is likely to be preferred to Ashley Cole at left-back, with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Kostas Manolas in the centre. Probable Juventus lineup: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pereyra, Vidal, Marchsio, Evra; Tevez, Morata Probable Roma lineup: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Yanga-Mbiwa, Manolas, Holebas; De Rossi, Nainggolan; Gervinho, Pjanic, Ljajic; Totti http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111