Roma entered this game on the back of four defeats and two draws in Serie A, their worst run of league form since April 2005 whilst Juventus were also not quiet firing on all cylinders even allowing for their impressive 3-0 away win at Celtic in the Champions League midweek.

A game that reversed much of the conventional wisdom this season, here was a Roma team that could defend very well and a Juventus team that looked impotent in attack.

Whilst an excellent counter attacking side, required to come from behind against a low block was a question that the Bianconeri were unable to answer.

Line Ups

Roma lined up with a 3-4-2-1 formation. Totti and Lamela were deployed behind the lone striker Osvaldo. Piris was the surprise choice for the right sided centre back whilst Pjanic and De Rossi were the central midfield partnership. Pjanic required to contain his natural game for a more defensive orientated performance although he did push further forward as the game progressed.

Andreazzoli confirmed the change in the line up after the game:

“Today we changed by putting Totti and Lamela behind the striker and I think that we can create more than way and cause more trouble for the opposition’s playmaker”

Conte was forced into two changes with Peluso and Marchisio suspended.

Asamoah was brought back into the side for his first start after the African Cup of Nations at left wing back whilst Paul Pogba replaced Marchiso.

Juventus began with their normal 3-5-2 shape.

Shape – Role Reversal?

Back in September, Roma travelled to Turin to face Juventus under the leadership of Zdenek Zemen. They suffered a heavy 4-1 loss which could have been greater had the Bianconeri not eased off ahead of Champions League duty. Under Zemen, Roma attacked with abandon with their defensive shape often in disarray.

On Saturday evening, Roma produced a display of discipline, organisation and workrate which would have been impossible to replicate under Zemen. New coach Andreazzoli getting a performance from the same side who had disappointed in his first game in charge last weekend, the 1-0 loss away at Sampdoria.

The home side had less possession completing 347 passes from 437 attempted passes yet looked increasingly dangerous on the counter attack as the game developed with the attacking trio of Totti, Lamela and Osvaldo creating opportunities which were spurned.

Following that game in September, De Rossi and Zemen reportedly argued in the dressing room following the conclusion of the match. De Rossi had been pushed to a wide position that night. At the Stadio Olimpico, De Rossi was back in the heart of the Roma midfield and a key reason for the victory.

De Rossi

The early caution for the incredibly rash tackle that saw him lucky to avoid a red card, should have curbed his ability to harass, press and tackle his opponents yet De Rossi still made more tackles than anyone else on the pitch. De Rossi only committed one foul with Roma committing just 11 fouls in the whole game despite attempting 31 tackles with 19 being successful.

The midfielder performed a mainly defensive role in the first half sitting deep in front of the three centre backs with Pjanic slightly further forward on his right. Always available to assist Marquinho against the threat offered by Lichtsteiner

De Rossi completed 54 passes from 63 attempted offering something in both half’s of the field. Although characterised by workrate and endeavor, this was not a purely defensive performance from the midfielder.

Roma Style

Roma allowed Juventus to come forward with the ball, dropping off far too much in the first half. Barzagli advanced too easily and it was not uncommon for the entire Roma team to be within their own half. There was a feeling of stress to the Roma defence in the first half. Never quite in control of what they wanted to do.

The midfield was on top of the defence and the attack was too far upfield. There was a sense of isolation and the team was disconnected.

These issues were addressed at half time with the result being that Roma were much more of a cohesive unit in the second half. De Rossi and Pjanic were closer to the attack and the defence was not quite as deep. Torosidis began to have an influence on the game with a number of forays forward pushing the ineffective Asamoah deeper. Lichtsteiner who had played very high in the first half, was also quieter as Marquinho played higher too.

The goal from Totti forced Juventus to attack more and the side became stretched creating the space for Osvaldo, Totti and Lamela to flourish and construct opportunities. One area to be addressed for Andreazzoli is the profligacy shown in front of goal. The Giallorossi created many chances yet were unable to add to Totti’s fine strike. a Little more quality is needed as the wrong option was frequently chosen by Osvaldo and Lamela.

Lack of Attacking Threat

Despite enjoying the bulk of possession and completing 452 passes form 560 attempted, Juventus were seldom able to translate that into goalscoring opportunities. Indeed even with their possession, they were never in control of the game. The away side managed just eight attempts at goal of which only three were on target. Aside from Pirlo’s free kick in the first half which Stekenlenburg pushed round the post, the Bianconeri never tested the goalkeeper.

The graphic below displays the action areas for la vecchia signora:-

Juventus were unable to get anything meaningful within the Roma penalty area. With Roma defending deep and compactly, there was little space for Matri or the anonymous Vucinic to move into. Juventus hit 28 crosses into the Roma penalty area yet not one connected with a team mate.

Anelka was brought on after 70 minutes as Conte switched to a 4-3-3, the Frenchman deployed on the right but with no space to break into, his greatest asset, his pace, could not be utilised. The swicth also marginalised Pogba as he was pushed into a wide right berth and left Pirlo alone in the centre of midfield. This enable Roma to create a number of counter attacking chances and forced JUve tus into the concession of more fouls, 19 throughout the entire game.

With a lack of space and movement in their play, this filtered further down the team and Pirlo completed just 62 passes from 86 attempted. The graphic below displays just how few of his longer forward passes found their intended targets:-

With space in the first half, Pirlo was more comfortable in possession but with Roma pressing higher and more frequently in the second, he found himself under increased pressure.

The problems experienced show why Conte was so keen to sign Fernando Llorente. The powerful Basque would have provided exactly what Juventus required last night, a point of reference in attack who can provide the link for team mates in the opponents penalty area. The stubborn refusal of Athletic Club not to sell their star asset despite not playing becomes more problematic for Juventus as time passes.

They need Llorente now yet they capture a player in June who has played little top class football this season.

Juve Fatigued?

Having played their third game in seven days, Conte was understandably annoyed at the lack of intensity to Juventus play due to fatigue and tiredness:-

“I said it earlier that playing three matches in seven days did not please me. We could have paid for our fatigue after two matches against important clubs and an extra day could have helped to recharge us.”

The fixture list has been difficult for the Bianconeri but the games have been known for some time and it’s the sort of testing run of games that all of the top clubs in Europe face at this point in the season.

It’s not just a test of your first choice team’s technical ability at this stage of the season. It’s about your physical and mental strength and the depth of your squad. All these factors play a part in truly great teams. With their place in the next stage of the Champions League more or less assured, Conte can turn his full attention to Serie A.

The coming months will tell us just how far this side has progressed under their former midfielder in the past couple of seasons.

Conclusions

Three points and a substantial performance which must provide optimism for the Giallorossi for the remainder of the season. A European place is still a realistic possibility but the form that defeated Juventus must be carried forward beginning with a trip to Atalanta next week.

Three wins, two draws and two defeats now for Juventus in Serie A during 2013. This run of average form by their recent standards as enabled Napoli to close the gap although the Partenopei failed to make the most of this opportunity by only drawing at home to Sampdoria.

The game in Naples on Friday 1st March between the sides is fast becoming the fixture of the season.