After suffering a shock loss to winless opponents earlier this week, Roma welcome in-form Juventus to Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.

Two of Calcio's traditional giants convene in the capital, separated by nine points in the Serie A standings due to Juve's penalty, but all the momentum is with a revived Old Lady.

Match preview

Roma's promising start to 2023 came to a shuddering halt on Tuesday, when they met Serie A's bottom club Cremonese at Stadio Giovanni Zini. Defeat to the Grigiorossi not only lifted their hosts off the foot of the table but also dented ambitions of securing a top-four finish.

Having previously cemented a place in the Europa League's last 16, the Giallorossi were tripped up by a side seemingly destined for a quick return to Serie B, and a controversial encounter - decided by Daniel Ciofani's late penalty - was their second loss to Cremonese in the space of a few weeks, following a Coppa Italia exit at their hands last month.

During the game, Jose Mourinho was sent from the touchline for a third time this season, but after speculation surrounding the fourth official's conduct during a flare-up between the pair, Roma's hierarchy have launched an appeal to reduce their head coach's suspension.

Whether the veteran tactician stalks the touchline on Sunday night or not, he will want to see an immediate response from his team following such an unsatisfactory result, though - for all his success with Inter - Mourinho has won just two games against Juventus in the Italian top flight.

As last year's Europa Conference League winners, Roma aim to replicate that feat in Europe's second-tier competition later this term, but their main aim remains gaining access to the Champions League via their final league position. The input of top scorer and ex-Juve star Paulo Dybala could prove crucial in that regard.

They face stiff competition from several other contenders - perhaps even a resurgent Juventus - but at least have the comfort of home soil to fall back on when they tackle the Bianconeri this weekend: the capital club have won each of their last four home games in Serie A without conceding a single goal.

Not only have Juventus won two of their three most recent clashes with Roma in the Eternal City, but have also come out on top in three of the last four meetings between the sides. In fact, the exception was August's reverse fixture, when Dusan Vlahovic and Tammy Abraham were on target in a 1-1 league draw.

Max Allegri's men are intent on extending that dominant run, as after twice fighting back from behind to defeat Torino 4-2 in a thrilling Derby della Mole, they further closed their deficit to the teams suddenly thrust ahead of them when a 15-point deduction was handed down by the FIGC (Italian FA).

Tuesday's win at the Allianz Stadium - in which ex-Toro defender Bremer gleefully netted his club's crucial third goal - continues a stunning response to both their demotion to mid-table and a subsequent defeat against Monza, and it is not just on Turin turf where Juve have thrived.

They have won six of their last seven Serie A away games - having failed to win any of their first four this season - and an impressive seven clean sheets in 11 away fixtures represents their best tally at this stage of a campaign since 1982.

Before shipping two goals to their city rivals in midweek, a breakaway goal conceded against Europa League victims Nantes was the only time Allegri's well-drilled defence had been breached in over 500 minutes of football.

Such resilience means the Bianconeri faithful refuse to stop dreaming of a late-season surge towards an improbable place inside the top four - maybe even at Roma's expense.

Team News

After their setback in Cremona, Roma will make some changes to their starting XI on Sunday, with established first-teamers Chris Smalling and Nemanja Matic both returning.

Smalling is back following suspension, while Matic should replace Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield after the latter completed his first full match since a long injury layoff.

In addition, new father Tammy Abraham leads the line up front, replacing Andrea Belotti, who is still without a goal or assist in Serie A this season though has previously scored four times against Juventus in the top flight.

Ex-Bianconero Paulo Dybala sits 10th in Juve's all-time top scorers list, but has scored eight times in the league since leaving for Rome last summer and also laid on six assists - equalling last season's haul of goal involvements, but in 11 fewer appearances.

A star still at Juventus but barely visible since his return from Manchester United, Paul Pogba hopes to make another appearance from the bench after missing over six months due to injury before coming on as a substitute against Torino.

While fellow midfielder Fabio Miretti has now recovered from an ankle problem, Arkadiusz Milik is not available yet, so Dusan Vlahovic and Angel Di Maria should join forces up front once more.

Manuel Locatelli is back from a ban, and his introduction could even be Max Allegri's only change to a winning side, with young Enzo Barrenechea making way.

Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Dybala; Abraham

Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Danilo, Bremer, Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria; Vlahovic

We say: Roma 0-1 Juventus

Juventus are one of two teams, along with leaders Napoil, to have conceded the fewest goals in the second half of Serie A matches this season (eight), while Roma have only conceded nine, so both sides know how to shut up shop.

It is sure to be a close-fought affair in the capital, but more misery for Mourinho could be in store, as Juve are masters of nicking a lead and doggedly preserving their advantage until the last whistle.


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