Serie A: Roma defeat Juventus to increase top four chances

• AS Roma hosted Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday in the Serie A
• Roma headed into the match seeking a win to bolster their chances of finishing in the top four
• Defender Gianluca Mancini scored the sole goal of the match as Jose Mourinho’s side sealed all the points at home

With a 1-0 win over Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, Gianluca Mancini’s thunderous goal propelled Roma into fourth place in Serie A.

With his rasping second-half drive, the centre-back secured three crucial points, improving Roma’s chances of making the Champions League.

The Giallorossi achieved what might turn out to be a significant win after a week that saw head coach Jose Mourinho and former Juventus playmaker Pablo Dybala dominate off-field news.

Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus team will find it difficult to accept defeat after a performance in which they felt they did enough to win a point and Moise Kean was dismissed for kicking out at Mancini in the closing stages, less than a minute after coming on.

AS Roma players celebrate after Gianluca Mancini scored the winner against Juventus in the Serie A on Sunday, March 5 2023. | PHOTO: Eurosport |

With a win, Roma would move ahead of Milan and into the top four on goal differential. Roma made an early effort to dominate their opponents.

However, Juventus remained obstinately defiant in front of a supportive audience and made an effort to take the lead themselves.

In the first half, Adrien Rabiot’s header was saved by Wojciech Szczesny just outside the left post in the 43rd minute as the Bianconeri came the nearest to scoring.

Eight minutes after the half, the hosts took advantage of the encouragement from the spectators to break the score when Mancini unleashed a long-range shot with his right foot, leaving Szczesny with no chance.

Eight minutes after the half, the hosts took advantage of the encouragement from the spectators to break the score when Mancini unleashed a long-range shot with his right foot, leaving Szczesny with no chance.

On the stroke of the hour, Juan Cuadrado came close to tying the score with a beautiful free kick that hit the crossbar.

Juve failed to earn a point, and to make matters worse, Kean was given a clear red card for punching Mancini shortly after replacing him.

Mourinho starts the week in fine form

Mourinho’s participation on the sidelines of one of his team’s most important games of the season had been in question following the imposition of a touchline ban.

But after it was banned earlier this week ahead of the crucial game, Mourinho returned to the sideline, and his team performed admirably while he was in charge.

Roma outperformed Milan by showcasing their Champions League skills, while Juventus fell to eighth place.

This Thursday, both sides will turn their attention back to their Europa League last-16 first-leg matches: Roma will host Real Sociedad and Juventus will host Freiburg.