Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals were not enough as Juventus and Roma played out to a 2-2 draw at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening. Veretout scored twice for the Giallorossi, while the Portuguese attacker’s two equalisers, one which was scored with Juve down to 10 men, meant that points had to be shared.
VERETOUT CONVERTS PENALTY
The opening 20 minutes saw both teams going in search of their rhythm, and it was Roma who had the first effort at goal when Mkhitaryan worked his way past the backline and let rip at goal, only for Szczesny to pull off a great save to deny him. Roma took the lead just after the half hour, after a Rabiot handball saw the referee signal to the spot. Veretout stood up to take the spot kick, and his ball went under Tek and off the inside of the post. Ramsey nearly equalised moments later when he directed Ronaldo’s excellent cross just inches wide of the post.
RONALDO TOO, BUT VERETOUT RESPONDS
The scoreline turned to 1-1 just before the stroke of half time when Juventus were awarded a penalty too, this time from a hand ball by Pellegrini. Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot and fired in a powerful effort. But that wasn’t to be the last goal of the half, as Roma quickly found themselves working a counterattack. Mkhitaryan played the ball across to Veretout, who found himself open at goal and he fired in a strong effort to make it 2-1 in favour of Roma going into the break.
CR7 NODS HOME
Roma nearly started the second half in the same way they ended the first half, when Dzeko capaitalised on a defensive error to fire at goal, but he was denied by the upright. Pirlo then opted for a double change by bringing on Douglas Costa and Arthur in place of McKennie and Arthur, before then being reduced to 10 men after Rabiot was shown a second yellow. Despite the man disadvantage, the Bianconeri were pushing for that equaliser and they got it in the 69th minute through a towering leap by Ronaldo that saw him effortlessly nod home the equalizing goal. Frabotta was brought on with five minutes to go in place of Kulusevski, but that wasn’t enough to grab a late winner as the points were shared.
Roma:Mirante; Mancini, Ibanez, Kumbulla; Santon, Veretout, Pellegrini, Spinazzola; Mkhitaryan, Pedro; Dzeko
Juventus:Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Chiellini; Kulusevski (Frabotta 85’), McKennie (Arthur 58’), Rabiot, Ramsey (Bentancur 68’), Cuadrado; Cristiano Ronaldo, Morata (Douglas Costa 58’)
Subs: Buffon, Pinsoglio, De Sciglio, Rugani, Demiral, Frabotta, Arthur, Bentancur, Portanova, Dybala, Douglas Costa, Vrioni