Juventus showed their mettle ahead of AS Roma’s second leg of the Europa League semi-final in Leverkusen on Thursday. The two traditional clubs shared the points in an entertaining game full of chances – which kept the tension high in the battle for the Champions League
Even though the first leg against Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final did not go according to plan (0:2), Roma are not ready to give up ahead of the decisive second leg next Thursday. The dream of a direct return to the EL final (1:4 on penalties against Sevilla FC in 2023) should still be alive.
And what will it take in the best-case scenario for the Werkself, who have now been unbeaten in 48 (!) competitive matches and won 5:1 in Frankfurt this Bundesliga Sunday? An early goal to create excitement.
An early goal like in the current clash with Juventus in the course of the 35th matchday of Serie A, in which the Romans are still fighting for a direct Champions League ticket. Against the record champions, who can still finish as runners-up behind the long-established champions Inter Milan and who had the first chance of the game through Vlahovic (7th minute), the capital side got off to a powerful and successful start.
It was the agile Angelino in particular who got things going. The Leizig loanee found Kristensen and Lukaku with fine crosses, the former nodding the ball onto the crossbar (11′) and the latter not putting the ball in cleanly enough (13′). In the 15th minute, however, the Giallorossi took the lead: Baldanzi and Dybala broke up the Turin backline down the right flank before Cristante was played in and shot. Gatti was able to deflect the shot, but it fell to the feet of Lukaku. The Belgian scored with a bone-dry finish and was celebrated by the fans and his teammates.
Lukaku could have made it 2:0 shortly afterwards (19′), but instead Juve equalized as the game progressed. After dribbling and delivering a fine cross, Bremer rose highest to head past AS keeper Svilar (31′).
Abraham has victory on his feet
And after Dybala had missed two more promising free-kick opportunities (38′, 45′) and Locatelli had put Torino ahead again (40′), the score went into the break at 1-1. In the end, that was to be the final score, which was almost unbelievable given the numerous other chances for both teams.
Chiesa, for example, hit the inside right post after a great move (47′) and failed to beat Svilar (62′), as did Rabiot (64′). After a long period in which Roma looked tired and Juventus appeared to be clearly on top, the tide turned again. Pellegrini missed the chance to make it 2-1 (67′) with a rushed direct attempt after a fine assist from Baldanzi, before Danilo saved from Kristensen’s header at the highest level (69′). In the final minutes, Juve joker Kean was denied by a superb reflex save from Svilar (87), while Rome’s substitute striker Abraham missed a goal, as he had done in the closing stages against Leverkusen. In a one-on-one with former Roma keeper Szczesny, the Polish international goalkeeper won with a very good save (90.+4).
And so the Giallorossi under coach Daniele de Rossi had to live with a 1:1 draw in the still exciting battle for a Champions League ticket, with rivals Atalanta Bergamo having the chance to pass them with a few games remaining. Meanwhile, the Old Lady, managed by Massimiliano Allegri, are in a more comfortable position with 66 points, but are not yet completely assured of a place in the top flight.
