Journalist Roberto Beccantini comments on Juventus` draw at the Olimpico in Rome on his website. His thoughts are: “Thiago or not Thiago, Igor or not Igor, we are still in the same place. Good ball possession – and, for once, at a good pace – but zero center forward, and minimal real shots on goal. The 1-1 draw at the Olimpico should not be underestimated, despite yet another comeback conceded. Roma was coming off 7 wins. Juventus took them by the throat, but not with the force needed to disarm them. Yes, Svilar`s superb leap (with crossbar) on Nico`s header; Locatelli`s beautiful volley goal from the edge of the box. But also a `save` by Kalulu on Cristante and an El Shaarawy shot off the post.”
“For a half, Juventus dominated. Aggressive, less horizontal, with the defensive trident – Kalulu, Veiga, Kelly – blocking the passes. Coach Claudio had shuffled the cards and focused on launching the ball to Dovbyk and his flick-ons. In the second half, however, he removed Hummels and brought on Shomurodov. One less defender, one more attacker. The move produced a jolt; the jolt, the equalizer. Soulé`s corner, Ndicka`s header, a near-miracle save by Di Gregorio, tap-in by the Uzbek player. From then on, Juventus resumed pushing their opponent against the ropes, with Nico free to attack, Weah, Thuram and company ready to insert themselves. Two problems: the final pass, which is to football what the title is to an article, and the `finishing touch`, from Vlahovic to Kolo Muani. Always available, but neither masters nor predators in the box. And the shirt they wear would demand it.”
“Soulé and Yildiz? More full-backs, less `number tens`. There were absences on both sides, from Dybala to Gatti (sic), the match flowed in a combative and correct manner, without peaks to sing praises about. Ranieri and Tudor are stopgap managers: one since November, the other since the end of March. Roma is no longer a scattered pack; Juventus, still a `work in progress` trying to get out of the mid-seasons. These are the facts. And the league table, from third to sixth place, is a big mess.”