For the Giallorossi it was an opportunity to make a decisive push in the Champions League zone, especially given the favorable results of their direct competitors. For Bianconeri from Igor Tudor it could have been the time to validate their victory over Genoa, and more importantly, the kind of victory to make a season finale full of possible.
Instead, the two teams respected each other a little too much. The first half was sometimes even entertaining, with a handful of opportunities at both ends. Roma's highlight was undoubtedly Mile Svilar, who made two excellent rescues in the opening 45 minutes, one of which, a wonderful reaction to the header of Nico Gonzalez, first saw him bend the ball and then pushed the crossbar.
A storage of the top class of a top -class goalkeeper. Roma should urgently prioritize extending SVILAR's contract, although conversations have not yet been bearing fruit, and it is no surprise that different clubs show interest.
For Juventus, Timothy Weah was lively and first threatened with a long -distance effort and later delivered the cross that led to the aforementioned header of Nico Gonzalez. Another Bianconero who stood out was Pierre Kalulu, who made a sensational defensive intervention, his perfectly timed slide of Cristante a goal that seemed anything but certain.
The opening goal came from Manuel Locatelli and benefited from Roma's overly cautious approach. With the Giallorossi who withdrew into their own box, they were nine at that time, Locatelli found space on the edge of the area and hit a perfect volley in the corner, so well placed that even Mile Svilar could not get a hand. That says it all.
After the break, Claudio Ranieri Mats Hummels replaced by Eldor Shomurodov, and it was the Uzbeek striker who delivered the equalizer. Eldor was on a central rebound by Michele di Gregorio after the powerful header of Evan Ndicka, was in the right place at the right time to give it home. We may live one of the highest points of his career, he has rarely scored this, because his figures look more like a second striker than a traditional center ahead.
And that is probably its truth: he is not a real no. 9. But at the moment he is doing his part for Roma. Worth mentioning: he recently expanded his contract until 2027. Whether he stays in the long -term capital is still to be seen.
After the equalizer, however, Roma seemed to close and gradually faded the intensity of the game. In the end it became clear: both teams were satisfied with the draw and not willing to take risks. After the last whistle, Ranieri explained that it is better to draw than to lose, and his players brought that philosophy to heart. Yet there was a feeling that Roma could have showed more initiative, especially with the home crowd electrified after the goal of Shomurodov.
Ranieri, for all his legendary status, is not known for throwing caution to the wind. And so, got stuck by the fear of losing, both teams slowly settled in the result of 1-1. A point does not hurt anyone, but it also helps little, especially considering the table. Roma still needs an almost miracle to finish in the top four, and that is certainly not the fault of Ranieri. Since the arrival of the Roman coach, Roma has even won many competitions.
Tudor may have also pushed more, not necessarily in staff, but in mindset. That said, his Juventus side was away from home and still came from a difficult period that ended in a coaching change.
He may need more time to fully reform the mentality of the team. But the early signs since his arrival are promising, as well as the results. The future of Juventus remains uncertain, but it is clear that Tudor is planning to play all the cards at his disposal.
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