Focus On: Manuel Locatelli
The Italian midfielder Manuel Locatelli joined Juventus in 2021, and he has already scored twice helping the Bianconeri to win some Serie A 2021-22 matches. Check out this Focus On here on OneFootball.
Juventus vs Roma: Line-ups
Juventus
Roma
Improved Juventus Can Keep Out Roma
#1
While Juve’s recovery from a sluggish start to the season gathered pace before the international break, their visitors have been largely impressive since the appointment of Jose Mourinho and sit fourth in the standings – four points above the Bianconeri.
#2
While such defensive deficiencies would have been unthinkable in the first reign of head coach Max Allegri, since he departed to be replaced by Andrea Pirlo in a failed experiment and then returned this summer, Juve have been in flux at the back, with their identity as an impenetrable force severely diminished.
#3
Four straight wins have released a little of the intense pressure building around the cool-headed Allegri and his charges, providing a platform for them to tackle one of their most challenging contests of the campaign so far.
#4
Having bounced back from the bitter disappointment of losing the Derby della Capitale to Lazio with a Europa Conference League win and victory over promoted Empoli – previously victors versus Juventus – the international break paused a positive spell for Roma under Jose Mourinho.
#5
While Roma have now won six successive home games, they have underwhelmed as the away side this year, under both Mourinho and his predecessor Paulo Fonseca. The Giallorossi have lost nine away games in the league during 2021, and the last time they lost at least 10 in a calendar year was in 2012 – before that, in 1977.
DPP Verdict
Though far from the finished article, as they undergo what is sure to be a challenging period of reconstruction post-Cristiano Ronaldo, an improved Juventus can keep out Roma for 90 minutes and continue their supremacy over the Giallorossi on Turin turf. Mourinho’s men are still somewhat brittle on their travels, and an appalling record at the Allianz Stadium is unlikely to improve on Sunday night.
