Match Report | JUVE HELD AT HOME BY ROMA 

The second home match, a second sell-out, and the fans dreamt of another inspired Juventus performance at the Allianz Stadium. And their hopes were met in the first half. Dušan Vlahović opened the scoring with a perfectly executed free kick after two minutes. From then on, Juventus played at pace and with conviction for the remainder of the opening period, without adding to the slender advantage. In the second half, the tempo dropped, the visitors saw more of the ball and equalised with 20 minutes remaining through Tammy Abraham. Both teams conceded their first goals of the season as the points were shared.

DUSAN STEPS UP

Wojciech Szczęsny took to the field for his first game of the season to face the side he saved two penalties against last season. In front of him, an all-Brazilian central defence with Danilo teaming up with Bremer. Fabio Miretti was also drafted in for his first start of the season. On the bench was new signing Arek Milik after the paperwork was pushed through in time to make the Polish striker eligible. However, it was the starting striker, Vlahović, that did the damage.

Just seconds had elapsed when the referee awarded a free-kick at the edge of the Roma penalty area. Up stepped Vlahović to unleash an unstoppable shot in off the underside of the crossbar.

Before 15 minutes were on the clock, both Alex Sandro and Juan Caudrado attempted long range efforts that went just wide of Rui Patricio’s goal. The Roma goalkeeper was called into action by the same Cuadrado on 16 minutes when Juve charged forward on the counter attack. Three against three as Miretti rolled the pass for the Juve captain who appeared on the overlap. Inside the box, his shot was parried at the near post.

On 25 minutes, the ball sailed past Rui Patricio for the second time when Manuel Locatelli drove home a sensational shot. The Allianz Stadium erupted again, Locatelli thought he had scored his first goal since playing his part in the seven-goal thriller at the Olimpico last season against the Giallorossi. But it wasn’t to be. VAR identified a use of the arm by Vlahović in the build up - goal disallowed.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Cuadrado took his turn from a set piece, and his low drive was well covered by Rui Patricio. At the other end? Apart from a speculative effort from Lorenzo Pellegrini on eight minutes, Szczęsny had been seldom involved.

DEFENCE BREACHED

José Mourinho switched tactics at the restart, changing the defence to a flat back-four. While Roma looked more solid, Juventus appeared to play the waiting game, and the home side’s intensity dropped. Fewer chances were created, although Cuadrado did come close on 54 minutes with a fierce drive as he cut in from the right.

Slowly the visitors came more into the game and striker Tammy Abraham had his first sight on goal on 67 minutes. His shot on the spin was easy prey for Szczęsny. However, the goalkeeper could do nothing two minutes later when Paulo Dybala, on his return to the Allianz Stadium, kept the ball in play from a corner. His cross was met by Abrahma inside the six-yard box, who placed his header into the net.

Milik was brought on with just under a quarter of an hour to play and although the Polish forward looked at ease coming forward it was in defence that he made his most useful contribution, clearing off his goal line after a scramble from another Roma corner.

Juventus continued their positive streak against Roma by remaining unbeaten now in 19 of the last 20 opening fixtures between the two sides, but are asked to return to winning ways when Spezia visit on Wednesday.

JUVENTUS 1-1 ROMA (HT: 1-0)

SCORERS: 2’ Vlahović (J), 69’ Abraham (R)

JUVENTUS: Szczesny; De Sciglio, Danilo, Bremer, Alex Sandro; Locatelli (86' Rovella), Rabiot (58' Zakaria), Miretti (77' Milik); Cuadrado (77' McKennie), Vlahovic (86' Kean), Kostic.

Subs not used: Perin, Pinsoglio, Gatti, Rugani, Soulé.

Coach: Allegri.

ROMA: Rui Patricio; Mancini (46' El Shaarawy), Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp (62' Celik), Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola (46' Zalewski); Dybala (77' Kumbulla), Pellegrini (90’+3 Bove); Abraham.

Subs not used: Boer, Svilar, Shomurodov, Vina, Tripi. 

Coach: Mourinho.

REFEREE: Irrati.

ASSISTANTS: Preti, Berti.

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Abisso.

VAR: Di Paolo, Paganessi.

BOOKINGS: 6’ Locatelli (J), 41’ Cristante (R), 77’ Kostić (J)