Serie A Week 23 - 16/2/08 (19.30 UK)

Juventus - Roma

Stadio Olimpico

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The undoubted pick of the Week 23 fixtures sees second-placed Roma travel to third in the table Juventus in a six-pointer for an automatic place in next season’s Champions League group stage.

Roma seemed to have recovered from their shock 3-0 defeat to Siena in their last away match, but they can expect to be swiftly punished against Juve if they show any more signs of the complacency. The 2-0 victory over Reggina at the Stadio Olimpico last week suggests they have got things back on track, but they will have to prove that they are capable of handling the high-pressure occasions in this game after imploding against Inter earlier in the season.

The only major worry for Giallorossi Coach Luciano Spalletti will be the continued absence of Brazilian central defender Juan from his back line due to injury. Second-choice goalkeeper Gianluca Curci is also out, but has only started one match so far this season and is unlikely to concern the tactician too much. That means Matteo Ferrari should continue to fill in for Juan, while Roma are expected stick with the tried and tested trident of Rodrigo Taddei, Amantino Mancini and Francesco Totti in attack. However, Simone Perrotta could also return to the starting line-up at the expense of Ludovic Giuly.

Juventus’ injury crisis is finally starting to come to an end, with long-term absentee Jorge Andrade and winger Marco Marchionni the only noticeable members of the squad still out of action. The return of several players last week, including No 1 Gianluigi Buffon and captain Alessandro Del Piero, came as a massive boost and Coach Claudio Ranieri is expected to stick with the majority of the team that started the win over Udinese, although Mohamed Sissoko could replace Antonio Nocerino in midfield.

That 2-1 comeback win at the Stadio Friuli was vital to show that Juve could bounce back from their own setback in Week 21, when they failed to overcome bottom of the table Cagliari in Turin. The 1-1 draw saw them effectively end their dreams of catching Inter in the Scudetto race and they will be keen not to let second place slip out of reach as well. They are only four points behind Roma and a win for the Bianconeri in this match would really open up the race for that second automatic Champions League spot.

Keep an eye on: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus) – The Azzurri winger was in fantastic form in his first start since returning from injury against Udinese, even scoring a rare header, and will be keen to cement his place in the team with another fine performance.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Juventus (D D W D W) Roma (W W W L W)

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Juventus (probable): Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Sissoko, Zanetti, Nedved; Trezeguet, Del Piero

Roma (probable): Doni; Panucci, Ferrari, Mexes, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro; Taddei, Perrotta, Mancini; Totti

Ref: To follow...

Bring it on

It's Juventus v Roma, what more can I say? Passion, hate, tackles, some good football and probably some trouble in the stands, that is this game. It has extra incentive as both teams are battling for 2nd place, although we have lost (have had stolen or thrown away) so many points we should be second by now, still players missing and maybe even Camo now who pulled up in training, so expect another battle.

Forza La Juve, Roma pezzo di merda!!!

To me Juve can lose to Milan or any other clubs but not to Roma, Inter and MU!!!

I see Juve winning this one, and moving into second place over the next few weeks. Roma will be far to concerned with the CL, the Coppa and Serie A. Roma also start there hell schedule once again. They will not be able to hold on to second place.

Juve at home I see a 2-0 win for us. I just want to see Totti through one of his temper tantrums again.

Ranieri gives his views: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/feb15k.html

I'll just have to wake up at 2:30am tomorrow morning to get this game live...

we won 1-0 . since it's Roma, i'm overly excited of course

There you got them

Totti was silent throughout the match, being of no danger with his small tricks... I think Ranieri got Roma by surprise fielding a very attacking squad in the first half...

A Shame really as that means Inter can close out the title in the next few games

No, it's not a shame as we played and we won for ourselves... Let's talk about Inter in another chance...

Too Bad Sophie At least it was a deserved Win.

It was a decent performance, we got at them well at the start of the game then it turned into more of a sparring match. I always thought we had a physical and mental advantage on them as our record against them at home is fantastic, plus they have CL a few days later, Forza Juve

Serie A Week 23 - 16/2/08 (19.30 UK)

Juventus 1 - 0 Roma

Del Piero 45 (J)

Stadio Olimpico

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A cracking Alex Del Piero free kick allowed Juventus to defeat Roma in the battle for second place, although the Giallorossi hit the woodwork.

Francesco Totti admitted this fixture was to some even bigger than the derby and one cannot describe the rivalry between these clubs. The fact it was a six-pointer for second place just added spice. Juan, Jorge Andrade and Marco Marchionni were injured, but Luciano Spalletti had to consider squad rotation ahead of next week's Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

Roma's record in Turin has been abysmal with just seven victories, 20 draws and 46 defeats. Their last win was in September 2001, followed by two points from four visits.

Juve fielded a trident attack and had a very aggressive start, but when a corner fell kindly for Jonathan Zebina he hesitated and allowed the defence to charge him down.

Gianluigi Buffon parried a dangerous Max Tonetto cross-shot at the near post, but Roma almost scored a curious goal. Amantino Mancini's snapshot ricocheted off Francesco Totti's shin and threatened to catch out Buffon, so Giorgio Chiellini cleared practically off the line.

Iaquinta chipped a cross for Del Piero's free header straight at Alexander Doni. On 38 minutes the Giallorossi threatened with Totti and Mancini combining for Simone Perrotta's effort deflected over.

The best opportunity of the game so far arrived moments later, as Trezeguet flicked the ball into the centre for a fantastic Iaquinta right-foot volley that Doni palmed round the post.

Pavel Nedved went on a blazing run through the centre and Philippe Mexes was fortunate not to receive a second booking for bringing him down on the edge of the box. From the resulting free kick Del Piero broke the deadlock with an absolute screamer. He usually aims to curl them, but in this case the captain smashed a right-foot rocket into the near top corner.

However, less than 20 seconds later Roma were only denied an equaliser by the upright! Nicola Legrottaglie came sliding in to clear from Perrotta, but accidentally fired it on to the woodwork.

Camoranesi has a muscular problem and went off for Antonio Nocerino. The Giallorossi fought back and a Ferrari header was deflected off target before David Pizarro completely mis-kicked on what was a terrible performance from the Chilean.

Zebina went on a marauding run and combined with Iaquinta to blast over, but Mexes' header from a corner kick skimmed the upright.

Ludovic Giuly replaced Taddei and he sprung the offside trap for a brilliant volleyed pass across the face of goal, but it was just too long for Totti to get the decisive tap-in.

Legrottaglie did well to stand his ground and charge down one of Mancini's trademark step-over solo runs.

Momo Sissoko replaced Trezeguet as Juve switched to a 4-4-2 system, but Roma kept pushing and Buffon flew to push a swerving Daniele De Rossi free kick out of the top corner.

Del Piero wanted a penalty when he pounced on a defensive error, but the referee awarded a free kick to Roma because Doni got to the ball first. Del Piero's wayward strike turned into an assist for Iaquinta, who swept it inches past the far post.


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Juventus: Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Camoranesi (Nocerino 46), Zanetti, Nedved (Palladino 81); Del Piero; Iaquinta, Trezeguet (Sissoko 67)

Roma: Doni; Cassetti, Ferrari, Mexes, Tonetto; Pizarro (Aquilani 73), De Rossi; Taddei (Giuly 60), Perrotta (Esposito 82), Mancini; Totti

Ref: Saccani

Excellent victory for us. Hofually this gives us some confidants and we put together a string of good results. We will overtake Roma for second in the coming weeks and possibly give Inter a run for there money.

We have a tough run coming up after the next match, we need to keep it going.