A clash between two of 2015-16’s Serie A title favourites will see Roma host Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.
Rudi Garcia’s team has finished second behind the Bianconeri in each of his season’s in charge at Roma, and this game will be a indication of whether the can finally topple last season’s Champions League runners-up.
The Giallorossi began the new Serie A campaign with a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona last weekend. After making a slow start they were punished by a Bosko Jankovic effort. However, it only took five minutes to equalise, with a fine Alessandro Florenzi goal earning Roma a share of the points
Meanwhile, Juventus started their title defence slowly with a sensational 1-0 upset defeat at home to Udinese. The reigning champions enjoyed the majority of the possession, but failed to make their dominance count and a swift counter-attack was finished by Cyril Thereau, condemning Juve to what will be an infamous opening day defeat.
The result was the first time they have been beaten at home in Serie A since a 10 man Sampdoria shocked the Bianconeri in January 2013.
Key Battle- Radja Nainggolan vs Paul Pogba
The big matches are often decided in midfield. The battle in the centre of the park often dictates a game and therefore, these individuals have a huge influence on the outcome. The same will be the case for this blockbuster showdown.
Radja Nainggolan was Roma’s best player last season and one of the best midfielders in Europe. After signing permanently for the club, he again looks set to shine and his tenacious style will cause plenty of problems for the Bianconeri. With this being Roma’s first competitive game at home for 2015-16, Nainggolan will be looking to ignite the Olimpico with an all-action display, as the Giallorossi go in search of a first win of the new campaign.
Paul Pogba will be up against it. With injured pair Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira out of the game, it will be up to the Frenchman to drive his team forward. Playing against the exciting trio of Nainggolan, Miralem Pjanic and Daniele De Rossi, Pogba will have to be at this best. Also given the fact that Juventus struggled to create opportunites in their defeat against Udinese, the new No.10 will be expected to be the creative force in the Bianconeri line-up.
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Team News
Coach Rudi Garcia is hoping defender Maicon will back in the fold for the game against the champions. Recent addition Lucas Digne is in line for his debut at left-back, following the completion of his transfer from French champions Paris Saint-Germain. Kevin Strootman’s injury nightmare is set to continue with the Dutchman undergoing a third operation on his left knee in the space of 18 months, meaning he will miss the entirety of the season.
22-year-old Alvaro Morata could make his first appearance for Juventus this season after recovering from a calf problem. Massimilliano Allegri’s team will exclude midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira, who are both missing due to thigh injuries, plus long-term absentee Kwadwo Asamoah. Fresh arrival Alex Sandro from Porto appears likely to begin life with the Turin giants on the bench.
Head-to-head
Juventus have only lost once in the last 10 years at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma in Serie A.
In last season’s fixture at the Olimpico, Seydou Keita’s header cancelled out Carlos Tevez’s opener as the two teams drew, a result which all but secured the league title for Juve.
Prediction
With this fixture coming so early on in the season expect a tight affair, with both sides not wanting to give an upper-hand to their rival, especially with neither winning in week one. A draw is the most likely result, but with Juventus’ recent record at Roma, they will be confident.
AS Roma 1 Juventus 1
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