December 31, (THEWILL) – Juventus won a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Saturday evening, a result which moves the Turin giants to within two points of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
An opportunistic second-half strike from midfielder Adrien Rabiot proved the difference in a tense affair at the Allianz Stadium. The first half saw chances at both ends. Roma started brightly and Bryan Cristante was unlucky to see his 4th-minute strike cannon off Dusan Vlahovic and onto the post.
As the half wore on, Juventus began to settle with Vlahovic and teenage prospect Kenan Yildiz both going close. However, the teams went in level at the break after an Evan Ndicka goal-line clearance denied Filip Kostic a first-half lead for the hosts.
The breakthrough came shortly after the restart when Rabiot reacted quickest to a clever Vlahovic backheel flick. The Frenchman beat Rui Patricio with a left-footed strike to notch what proved to be the winner, moving Juventus onto 43 points.
Roma rallied late on but struggled to break down a resolute Juve rear-guard. Their best chances fell to substitute Sardar Azmoun, who headed straight at Wojciech Szczesny, and Bryan Cristante, whose deflected effort was dealt with. The result leaves the visitors in 7th position on 28 points as the season passes its halfway point.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
