Juventus Defeat Roma and Draw Closer to Serie A Top Spot Held by Inter
Juventus have edged nearer to the Serie A summit following a convincing 2-1 victory over Roma on Saturday which leaves them just four points adrift of frontrunners Inter Milan.
The match in Turin was settled by strikes from Francisco Conceicao and Lois Openda in what proved to be a lively affair marking Juves second major triumph in successive weeks after their success against Bologna.
Remaining in fifth position with 29 points Juventus trail Roma by only one point with the visitors occupying the final Champions League qualification place while enduring their sixth loss in the league this term.
Under Luciano Spalletti Juventus have completed an additional fixture compared to title holders Napoli AC Milan and Inter who face postponements next month owing to the Italian Super Cup tournament in Saudi Arabia.
Roma offered scant threat at the Allianz Stadium apart from Tommaso Baldanzis close range finish with 15 minutes remaining and the Roman side have now dropped points in three of their previous four domestic outings.
Conceicao signalled his intent shortly before opening the scoring by testing Mile Svilar directly after a fine assist from Kenan Yildiz on the flank though he squandered an easier opportunity.
The games initial clear cut moment arrived and Conceicao displayed greater precision right before half time rifling in with his left boot following Andrea Cambiasos clever pass.
Svilar shone as Romas standout performer throughout yet he could not prevent Openda from forcing home the second goal in the 70th minute despite an excellent save to deny Weston McKennies effort from a header.
This strike appeared to secure the win for the hosts until Baldanzi reduced the arrears promptly when Michele Di Gregorio pushed aside Evan Fergusons effort from distance.
Nonetheless Juventus came nearer to adding a third in the 80th minute as Yildiz curled a fine attempt against the upright and the Turin team saw out the game to pocket vital points.
In an earlier fixture Lazio managed only a 0-0 stalemate against Cremonese at home in Rome.