29 July 2017
FACT FILE
Name: A.S. Roma
Founded: 1927
Home ground: Stadio Olimpico
Coach: Eusebio Di Francesco
SUMMER OF CHANGE
Roma legend Francesco Totti finally decided to call time on his illustrious playing career at the end of last season. During his 25 years of service, he helped the Giallorossi to the Serie A title in 2001, whilst adding two Coppa Italia trophies and as many Italian Super Cups to his collection. On 17 July, it was announced that Totti had become a director at the club.
There has also been change in the dugout this summer with coach Luciano Spalletti concluding his second spell in charge before moving to Inter. Roma turned to Sassuolo manager and former player, Eusebio Di Francesco to take over the reins at the Olimpico.
TRANSFER ACTION
So far it has been a busy transfer window for Roma. Despite the sales of Mohamed Salah to Liverpool, Antonio Rüdiger to Chelsea and Leandro Paredes to Zenit Saint Petersburg, they have added to their squad with the acquisitions of Mexico captain Hector Moreno from PSV Eindhoven, Aleksandar Kolarov from Manchester City, Rick Karsdorp from Feyenoord, Maxime Gonalons from Lyon, not to mention re-signing former youth product Lorenzo Pellegrini from Sassuolo and swooping for French striker Gregoire Defrel, also from the Neroverdi.
LAST TIME OUT
Juventus and Roma are no strangers to one another, having played 166 times in Serie A. The Bianconeri have won 79 of these encounters, drawing 48 and losing 38.
Last season, there were mixed results for Massimiliano Allegri’s men, who defeated the Giallorossi 1-0 at home in December thanks to Gonzalo Higuain’s wonder strike, but fell to a 3-1 reverse at the Stadio Olimpico in mid-May.
Both sides will be eager to get a measure of each other before the Serie A season kicks off in August.
STADIUM STATS & FACTS
vs Roma (Sunday 30 July, 16:00 local; 22:00 CEST)
Where: Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts
Capacity: 66,829
Home team(s): New England Patriots (NFL), New England Revolution (MLS)
About: Gillette Stadium is the only one of the three American stadiums Juve will be playing in on the summer tour that regularly hosts football matches. The New England Revolution of Major League Soccer call Gillette Stadium home, but it is most well known as the home of the current Super Bowl Champions, New England Patriots.
Football & Football: While calcio will be taking over the stadium, the New England Patriots will also be occupying the outer fields in Foxborough holding the first training sessions of their 2017 pre-season as they begin their Super Bowl title defence.
LONDON CALLING
Once Juventus’ tour of the United States has concluded, La Vecchia Signora will head to London on 5 August to play Tottenham Hotspur in a friendly being held at the English Premier League club’s temporary home at Wembley Stadium.
