Pre-Match Analysis: Juventus vs A.S Roma – Italian Serie A Encounter - SportsLounge

Match Overview: Juventus enters this clash on the back of two impressive 3-0 wins this season. They remain the only Serie A side with a perfect record so far. Thiago Motta’s men are full of confidence and rejuvenated, with high enthusiasm for the season, especially with the recent additions of Teun Koopmeiners and Nico Gonzalez.

Roma, on the other hand, have had an uninspiring start to the campaign. It has become somewhat customary for Roma to struggle in their opening games, failing to win any of their first two matches in four out of the last six seasons. This season, they have yet to secure a win in their opening fixtures and after losing to Empoli last weekend. They are currently sitting in 15th place on the table.

Recent Form: A.S. Roma will be eager to get their season up and running amidst their torrid start. They drew their first game 0-0 against Cagliari and lost 2-1 to Empoli in their last outing. Daniele De Rossi, who took the job permanently this season, will be keen to impress the fans after having steadied the ship at the tail end of last season. Meanwhile, Juventus have started the season in brilliant fashion, winning both games 3-0. Thiago Motta’s side has conceded the fewest shots on goal across all top-five European leagues. Early-season form suggests they could be the biggest rivals to Inter Milan’s crown.

Head-to-Head Record: Juventus and A.S. Roma have played 180 matches to date. Juventus have 86 wins, 42 defeats, and 52 draws. Notably, Roma have lost 11 of their last 13 away games against Juventus in Serie A, conceding goals in each of their last 21 encounters.

The results from their last 10 games show that the tie is usually a close encounter, with the last four games featuring less than three goals.

What to Expect from Both Sides:

Juventus: After an impressive start to the 2024/25 Serie A season with back-to-back 3-0 victories, Juventus are keen to head into the international break with a perfect record. Under new coach Thiago Motta, their high-pressing style has yielded immediate results, and the team’s strong performances suggest they could be serious contenders for the Scudetto.

The Bianconeri’s attack will be spearheaded by Dusan Vlahovic, who has already netted two goals this season and is currently Serie A’s top scorer in 2024. Supporting him will be new additions Teun Koopmeiners and Nico González. Defensively, Gleison Bremer will be charged with organizing the backline especially against Roma’s attacking threats. Juventus will likely adopt a high-tempo approach while aiming to dominate possession and exploit Roma’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Roma: The Giallorossi have historically struggled at the Allianz Stadium, losing 13 of their 15 matches since its inauguration, which adds pressure on De Rossi to break this negative streak.

Roma’s attacking hopes rest heavily on Paulo Dybala, who recently pledged his loyalty to the club amidst transfer speculation. Dybala, alongside new recruit Artem Dovbyk, will be key in penetrating Juventus’s defense. The midfield led by the experienced Bryan Cristante and Leandro Paredes, will need to control the tempo and provide the necessary support to their forwards. Defensively, Roma will need to tighten up, especially considering their poor away record against Juventus. Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka will be pivotal in marshaling the backline and preventing Juventus from finding their rhythm.

Both teams have a lot to prove in this early-season clash, with Juventus looking to maintain their unbeaten run and Roma aiming to bounce back from a shaky start. It promises to be an intense and closely contested match at the Allianz Stadium.

Key Battles to Watch:

1. Dusan Vlahovic vs. Evan Ndicka: Vlahovic will aim to use his physical presence and goal-scoring ability to challenge Roma’s defense. Ndicka will use his strength and defensive awareness to his advantage. He will play a crucial role in containing Vlahovic and prevent him from finding space in the penalty area.
2. Nicolas Fagioli vs. Leandro Paredes: This midfield battle could be decisive in controlling the game’s tempo. Fagioli will look to dictate play and distribute the ball effectively for Juventus, while Paredes, a tenacious midfielder, will focus on breaking up Juventus’ attacks and setting up Roma’s offensive plays.
3. Paulo Dybala vs. Manuel Locatelli: Dybala, operating in an attacking midfield role for Roma, will be pivotal in creating chances and linking up play. His creativity and ability to find pockets of space will challenge Locatelli, who will need to be vigilant in his defensive duties, intercepting passes and closing down Dybala to prevent him from orchestrating Roma’s attacks.
4. Artem Dovbyk vs. Bremer: Dovbyk, as Roma’s center forward, will look to use his strength and aerial ability to unsettle the Juventus defense. Bremer, a strong and disciplined defender, will have the task of marking Dovbyk closely, winning aerial duels and limit the striker’s impact in the final third. This physical battle could be crucial in determining Roma’s ability to penetrate Juventus’s defensive line.

Conclusion:

Heading into this clash, both teams have had contrasting starts to the season. Juventus has shown a solid form, making the most of their opportunities early on. Meanwhile, Roma has historically struggled in away fixtures against Juventus. With Roma’s poor away form in recent meetings between these two sides, Juventus is tipped to have the edge in what is expected to be a tense encounter. The home advantage and strong start to the season could see Juventus narrowly come out on top in this match.