Juventus Turin is in a difficult phase, but the morale is right: at AS Roma, the “Old Lady” turned around a two-goal deficit.
Juventus Turin has just been eliminated from the Champions League and faced another setback in the Serie A duel with AS Roma on Sunday. At 3:3 (0:1), the “Old Lady” was long behind after conceding goals from Wesley (39th), Evan Ndicka (54th) and Donyell Malen (65th). But Francisco Conceicao (47′) and Jérémie Boga (79′) kept hope alive and Federico Gatti (90’+3) equalized shortly before the final whistle.
Nevertheless, Juve must be prepared for the fact that they will not be able to return to the premier class so quickly, as they fell back to sixth place due to the draw on matchday 27. The gap to Roma in fourth place, the last Champions League qualification spot, is four points.
Four Serie A games, just one point
Turin have only taken two points from their last four Serie A games. She was also eliminated from the Coppa Italia at the beginning of February after a 3-0 defeat at Atalanta Bergamo. The series champion from the 10s with nine titles in a row has been waiting for the next title since 2020/21. Qualifying for the Champions League is extremely important for Turin for financial reasons.
Juventus’ coach Luciano Spalletti
Donyell Malen and Weston McKennie with chances
The game started openly, with both teams having chances. Rome’s Donyell Malen was denied by Mattia Perin, while at the other end Weston McKennie headed just wide of the goal. AS had a few more good opportunities, so the opening goal was not undeserved.
Niccolo Pisilli held the ball against Pierre Kalulu in midfield and played to Wesley on the left. He put the ball on his right foot and shot it from 16 meters into the top right corner. Once again Juventus had to chase a deficit.
Conceicao scores spectacularly
Shortly after the break, Juve’s Conceicao equalized – and did so spectacularly. After Bremer put the ball away, he slammed the ball into the top left corner from 16 meters.
But just seven minutes later, Rome had an answer ready. After a short corner, Lorenzo Pellegrini crossed into the six-yard box, where Ndicka finished. The fact that he was able to do this so close to the goal with his foot at grass level was a clear indication that Juve’s defense had been asleep.
Boga and Gatti secure the point late on
In the person of Malen, Roma followed up: The winter loanee sprinted off a through ball and lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Perin into the goal. It was his sixth goal in his seventh game for AS. The former Dortmund player only scored four times for Aston Villa in the entire Premier League first half of the season.
Juventus regained hope when Celik headed it short and substitute Boga volleyed home. In stoppage time, Gatti converted a free-kick cross extended by McKennie and proved that at least the morale in the team is still intact.
