In a showdown between two Italian icons on Sunday night, Roma sprung a real upset at the Stadio Olimpico as they claimed a gritty 1-0 victory against Juventus.
While Jose Mourinho s side might have come under scrutiny for their infamous 2-1 loss against Cremonese last weekend, the Giallorossi came roaring back as defender Gianluca Mancini bagged a famous winner.
Sending the home support into overdrive as the Italian international powered home just eight minutes after the half-time break, Roma also handed Juventus European dreams what could be a critical blow.
Although the Old Lady might have traveled to Rome on Sunday night in the midst of a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions, Massimiliano Allegri s side will feel like they missed out on a potential chance outside of Turin.
With their late charge to snatch a point not helped as second-half substitute Moise Kean was shown a straight red card just 40 seconds after coming off the bench, Allegri was far from pleased by his side s display here.
Two sides who are desperate to book a Champions League ticket in 2023, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Sunday s showdown at the Stadio Olimpico.
Mourinho gets the response he was demanding
While Roma might have eventually extended on their Europa League adventure after claiming a second-leg 2-0 victory against Salzburg on February 28th, Mourinho has found himself under some recent pressure.
Handing relegation scrappers Cremonese their first Serie A win at the 23rd attempt last weekend as they suffered a stunning 2-1 loss on the road, the former Manchester United boss has seen plenty of speculation over his long-term future at the Stadio Olimpico.
However, putting in a gritty display on Sunday night and finding a route back into the top-four, Roma have largely impressed many across Italy since returning from the World Cup s winter break.
Now desperate to secure a Champions League return in 2023, Mourinho s side have also continued to gain a reputation for their success on home soil.
Including Sunday s 1-0 victory, Roma have remarkably won nine of their previous 10 showdowns across all competitions at the Stadio Olimpico a run that stems all the way back to November 13th.
Likewise, the top-four contenders are also yet to ship a single Serie A strike in front of their own supporters since opening the New Year.
Juventus European ambitions take a major dent
While Juventus might have been dealing with a string of financial issues after being hit with a 15-point deduction back in January, the Italian heavyweights were enjoying a stellar run of form ahead of Sunday s showdown at the Stadio Olimpico.
Booking their spot in the quarter-finals of this season s Europa League after clinching a 3-0 romp away at French outfit Nantes on February 23rd, the Old Lady were smelling the chance to make another domestic statement here.
However, although Allegri s side might have opened this weekend s Serie A fixtures with their sights set on making up some ground in the top-four chase, Juventus came crashing back down to earth outside of Turin.
Watching their seven-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end and likely to come under more scrutiny, Allegri would have been most disappointed by his side s toothless display in the final third.
With attacking talisman Dusan Vlahovic now failing to find the net in each of his last four consecutive appearances, Sunday s 1-0 loss in Rome was just the second time since October 8th that Juventus have drawn a domestic blank.
What is going on with Abraham?
Although Roma might have leapfrogged their way back into the top-four following Sunday s 1-0 victory on home soil, there are some growing concerns over Tammy Abraham s extended rut at the Stadio Olimpico.
While the England international might have become an immediate hit after arriving in Rome 18 months ago for a fee of £34million, the former Chelsea man has failed to match a similar level this time around.
Missing out on a spot in Gareth Southgate s World Cup squad as the Three Lions secured a quarter-final finish out in Qatar, Abraham appears to have fallen down Mourinho s pecking order.
Having to settle for a spot on the bench here and making just a 17-minute cameo appearance, Abraham has not made a domestic start since Roma s 1-1 draw away at Leece on February 11th.
Likewise, while the 25-year-old might have been linked with a potential Premier League return this summer, the ex-Chelsea striker has recorded just a single strike in his previous nine outings.
Match Report
Roma: Patricio, Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez, Zalewski, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola, Pellegrini, Wijnaldum, Dybala
Subs: Belotti, Karsdorp, Abraham, Bove
Juventus: Szczesny, Danoli, Bremer, Sandro, Kostic, Rabiot, Locatelli, Fagioli, Cuadrado, Di Maria, Vlahovic
Subs: Kean, Bonucci, Pogba, Chiesa, Paredes
Goals: Mancini (53 )
Yellow Cards: Roma: Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola Juventus: Kostic, Locatelli
Red Cards: Kean
Referee: Fabio Maresca
