A match that tastes like modern football: studied down to the smallest detail, tactically perfect but devoid of emotion.
The match ends 0-0 at the Allianz Stadium. challenge between Juventus and Roma, one of the most anticipated matches of this third round of the championship.
The Bianconeri wanted to stay at the top and prove they were the favourites, the Giallorossi wanted to redeem themselves and leave Cagliari and Empoli behind, but it was the fear of daring that won.
49% and 51% possession, 1 and 1 shots on target, 8 and 7 total shots, 6 and 4 corners. A balanced match in every way.
Many expectations were also placed on the two coaches who, both on and off the pitch, have always respected each other. Thiago Motta and Daniele De Rossi studied each other so much that they cancelled each other out. Every move had a quick counter-response and so did every scheme and substitution. A football match that seemed more like a chess game.
On the DDR formation he surprised everyone by leaving Dybala And Walls on the bench and putting Saelemaekers And Peas from the 1st minute, because as the coach stressed in the last press conference, ‘the one who is in the best shape plays’. Even if this means leaving the strongest player in the squad to watch the match for over 60 minutes.
Each choice had its weight and its motivation and allowed Roma to return home not only with one more point but also with a newfound confidence. Suffice it to say that the Roman team against Juventus in Turin had not kept a clean sheet for 23 years, since September 2001 when the Giallorossi won 0-2 with goals from Batistuta and Assuncao.
From Wednesday (the day training will resume) to the Genoa match there is still a lot to work on: from how to create danger in front of goal to getting the new arrivals back into shape, including the long-awaited Hermoso.