Roma’s impressive seven-game winning streak came to an end, but a timely intervention from substitute Eldor Shomurodov ensured Juventus couldn’t fully capitalise, as the match ended in a hard-fought draw.
The Giallorossi entered the game riding high on a remarkable run of victories, positioning this clash as a crucial battle for European qualification. However, injuries and suspensions left Roma shorthanded, with key players like Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Alexis Saelemaekers unavailable. Juventus, under new coach Igor Tudor, were also dealing with absences, including Federico Gatti, Gleison Bremer, and Arek Milik. Tudor’s debut had seen Juve edge Genoa 1-0, but this match presented a sterner test.
Juventus started brightly, dominating possession early on. Tim Weah nearly opened the scoring with a curling effort that was expertly saved by Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar. Roma gradually grew into the game and came close when Artem Dovbyk set up Bryan Cristante, whose shot was heroically blocked by Pierre Kalulu.
Both sides struck the woodwork in an evenly matched first half. Nico Gonzalez’s header from a Weah cross was acrobatically tipped onto the post by Svilar, while Stephan El Shaarawy’s header from a Matias Soule delivery rattled the far post at the other end.
Juventus eventually broke the deadlock in the second half. A clearance from Zeki Celik fell to Manuel Locatelli at the edge of the box, and his volley bounced into the bottom corner—a strike that ended Roma’s streak of clean sheets dating back to early March.
Roma responded decisively after halftime by introducing Eldor Shomurodov and shifting to a more attacking 4-4-2 formation. The Uzbek forward made an immediate impact. Following a corner, Michele Di Gregorio parried Evan N’Dicka’s header but couldn’t stop Shomurodov’s close-range follow-up, leveling the score.
The match remained intense in its closing stages. Dovbyk tested Di Gregorio with a powerful run and shot, while Svilar denied Weston McKennie at the near post after a clever pass from Gonzalez. Both defenses held firm under pressure, with Kalulu and Angelino making crucial interventions to preserve the draw.
In the dying moments, McKennie’s strike from distance was blocked by Angelino after Lloyd Kelly’s pullback, ensuring both teams shared the spoils.
This result keeps Juventus’ progress in check while reaffirming Roma’s resilience as they continue their push for European qualification.
Goals: Locatelli 40 (J), Shomurodov 49 (R)
Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Hummels ( 46′ Shomurodov), Mancini, Ndicka; Celik ( 72′ Nelsson), Cristante (61′ Paredes), Koné, Angelino; Soulé, El Shaarawy ( 61′ Gourna-Douath); Dovbyk (85′ Baldanzi).
Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Veiga, Kelly; Weah (68′ Cambiaso), Locatelli (76′ Savona), K. Thuram, McKennie; Nico Gonzalez (68′ Koopmeiners), Yildiz; Vlahovic (68′ Kolo Muani)
