Roma v Juventus

I'll preface this by saying that if we go into this match looking for revenge, we are going to lose. The players cannot have that type of mindset against such a well oiled machine as Juve.

We have to go into this game and treat it like any other. The first 15 minutes of the previous meeting showed that Juve can be pegged back, but it's only when they grow into the game is when they get dangerous. More than anything though, Roma must keep their heads, which they inexplicable lost in the last outing.

I fully believe we are capable of beating them, regardless of who they play. We just have to play up to their level and not fall into the same mental trap of all of the other sides who quake in their boots when this Juve side come to town. From a pure footballing POV, we just have to use the ball better than them. We're going to have a good amount of possession and we know how to ping it around. The main issue with the last game was that we created so little against them. They created much more with less possession and less efficient passing. That's where this game will be won. We must create more chances and take them.

Wonderful preview, Neal.

On the contrary, there is a saying in France that goes along the lines of:"Vous pouvez battre Rudy fois, mais vous ne pouvez pas battre Rudy deux fois." (You can beat Rudy once, but you can't beat Rudy twice).

He has been a known quantity to exact vengeance upon the teams who posed a vital defeat to him, more so-humiliation.

But this is Calcio, out of his tangent at the moment and adhering to that rule would only be naive until he is fully adapted to the Italian surroundings.

Juventus are at their weakest once you attack them down from the initial start, pressuring their wingbacks back into their own zone and keeping false set points to draw out their markers in the form of Gervais or Destro. Roma lost a mental conflict with Juventus, but more so they lose because Juventus is the exact side that would trouble them, in other words, tactical fortitude for Conte regardless of the preparation.

Obviously, I will be rooting for Roma, tonight. Key player will be Miralem Pjanic, for many many reasons.

Roma must enter this tie of no memory of the loss in Torino, yet only to play their own game and furthermore keep harmony between a usually disconnect midfield and attack.

Thanks Arq. I just think Roma fans need to be careful not to hype this game too much. It was very telling that all of the big talk leading up to the game a few weeks ago came from the Roma camp and very little came from the Juve camp. Their fans were rather indifferent to that buildup and they saw only another challenger to their throne. That's the mentality of a club used to winning and of a fanbase that does not consider Roma a threat.

This will likely continue this year whether we win today or not. I think the return Serie A leg at the Olimpico in May is going to be far more telling.

For me, I just want to see these guys play the only elite team in the league the way they've played against all of the minnows. A blowout like the one we suffered before surprisingly didn't demoralize us, as it would've done to previous Roma sides and I think that's all down to Rudi. I know your saying very well, but as you said....this is calcio....things don't always, if ever, go the way they are supposed to in this league.

i hope Roma stays patient specially DDR and don't give in to juve's game , and i don't agree with arq regarding juve's weakest , i think most goals juve conceded was actually from the middle rather than wingers , if im not mistaking it was only real madrid that could score a goal from a move bale started but i don't expect gervinho to do what bale did . I'm more interested to see how Garcia will approach the game .

We should also look to the trouble Sampdoria caused them on corners. They didn't defend either of those goals very well. Almost uncharacteristically poor.

This is something Roma can exploit given that our best defender is also our biggest threat from set pieces.

Agreed with you, Neal. Good points.

1st half is done. Wonderful tempo by Roma and as predicted, Garcia would attempt the set the tone by an attacking 4-3-3 shape while staying relatively deep in defence. The deep line in defence has caused a quad of Bar-Bon-Che and Pirlo to be disconnected from the midfield resulting little idea on how to break the Roma deadlock. The ethic to track back in such fashion has been a mark of distinction from Roma tonight. Roma better in possession who also look more determined than a rather guileless Juve, at the moment. Defence has been remarkable for Juve with Cheillini dismantling many attacks with ease.

Final 3rd response needs to be improved as the lack of men within the box in the correct timing has had Roma yearn for a final product.

De Rossi, Florenzi and Strootman Roma's finest players. DDR absolutely controlling the game.

Roma are controlling the game, however, I am yet to see a truly dangerous presence up front. With Totti playing a creative role, and Gervinho hardly being the most dangerous of striker, Roma would find it difficult to score.

Juve in the other hand could soak up the pressure and hit at the break. Benetia is now more careful with a yellow on his head, and I bet that Giovinco would try and make that a red.

Anyway, let us see next half.

I'm hating Gervinho tonight, who is failing to keep up with the intensity of Roma's game. Often he will not make the extra step to touch a stray pass and on general, is too languid for tonight. He needs to come off.

Giovinco is infuriating the Romanisti along with me. Consistently falling to the ground on the slightest touch and being a nuisance even outside his impressive performance tonight.

Someone has to GIF that brilliant De Rossi pirouette though.

i wonder why pjanic is out , i would have made two subs , pjanic for gerv and destro for florenzi

Benatia had my heart in my throat in that half...goodness me.

Beyond that, it's been a good half...then again, we went into the 2nd half of the last game in fairly good shape...and then completely imploded. Let's hope that doesn't happen here. The lads are showing good spirit at least.

Finishing is our problem, as predicted. Gervinho, for all of his pace, is just not composed enough nor savvy enough off the ball. Would like to see Destro get some minutes in this 2nd half and I think that will happen.

Juve goal disallowed....that's gotta wake the Roma defense up. The marking on set pieces again is extremely lax.

pjanic you beauty , wow pjaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanic

The difference Pjanic makes is amazing honestly

Great finish from Gervinho

Gervais

Pjanic

Pjanic made the difference, but it was narrow. Well deserved, but narrow. Roma with a fulcrum at the attack might have scored earlier. Storari might have also stopped the ball reaching Gervs if he was alert enough.

Both Roma and Juve defended well, and the defenses managed to intercept passes all night.

For Juve, the midfield can't work without quality up front or at the wings. Isla, Quag, and Gio are crap in that order. IMO, Quag is the one who was supposed to be subbed and not Gio. Also, Isla is just rubbish and the only time he did something good he fluffed it.

Anyway, congratulations Roma fans, well deserved.

A great response from this side and from Rudi.

Now we need to do this again in May.

Must be said though....both sides left their shooting boots at home.

Great game guys, it was clear that Roma was the hungrier team. As always in Roma-Juve games, there are controversial moments which is a shame when you have such great teams playing.
Poor performance from the whole team, especially Pirlo and Quag daddy.

Thanks JM17

I agree in general...some controversial calls on both sides. Tagliavento had a rough night.

pjanic runned the damn show , why was he out , why garcia why

Well Pjanic wasn't 100% so he didn't start.

He was always going to come in later in the game. It's just awesome that he made such a quick and decisive impression.

tough game it was for roma , mostly because of juve's 11 men defense , they were hard to break in but this even with 1 goal proved that it can be done by focusing on the own tactics and not giving to juve's mental games . At the end of this game it wasnt de rossi that was frustrated , it was vidal , yes that tactic act like double sided knife . so proud of my team . forza Roma per sempre

the other thing that made my day was vicinic being booted of juve LOL

well mclewis that shot on target didnt change

Great work ya all