Ronaldo in goal, Pirlo ahead of Fonseca in the standings

Ronaldo and an own goal from Ibáñez. This is enough for Juve de Pirlo to overtake a willing but terribly evanescent Roma. A 2-0 at the Stadium which weighs more than three points because it means overtaking the Giallorossi in the standings and third place alone with a game to recover and five points behind the leader Inter. A true turning point for the journey in Italy of the multiple champions of Italy. Roma expends a lot of energy, tries, maneuvers, dribbles, gives good feelings but once again shows an obvious lack of personality and cynicism offensive. Too lightness, too many defensive amnesias to think about going to the stadium and winning the full loot. When faced with a big one, Fonseca’s team is lost. Juve de Pirlo makes the minimum wage, defends itself with order, lets the rival vent, manages the energy and then punishes him with the Portuguese phenomenon. A crystal clear display of strength.

The elections of Pirlo and Fonseca

Pirlo has a great rotation ahead of the Italian Cup game against Inter next Tuesday. Butterfly square, Bentancur is disqualified, Dybala and Ramsey in the pits. The defense was revolutionized with Szczesny back in goal, Danilo on the right and Alex Sandro on the opposite wing. In the center there are Bonucci and Chiellini. The attacking outsiders are McKennie and Chiesa with Ronaldo and Morata over there. Roma – without Smalling and Pedro injured, Pellegrini suspended and Dzeko on the bench – responded with a 3-5-2. Ibanez central defense, Plums me Mancini at their sides. Ahead there Mkhitaryan turn Borja Foreman.

Roma keep the ball, Cristiano Ronaldo scores

The first half is fun. Roma play, hold the ball, try to maneuver and on the left with Spinazzola they also manage to reach dangerously through the parts of Szczesny. However the only evil To close the action, there is no clue to the decisive push. In short, the Giallorossi almost never shoot on target. Juve’s approach is different, wait for their rivals, steal the ball and start again quickly with Chiesa on the right and Ronaldo in front ready to seize every opportunity. The cynicism that Roma lacks if everything is taken by CR7 that at the first thrust does not forgive the fragile rival rearguard. We are 13 ‘when Alex Sandro on the left turns Cristante around putting a soft ball in the area for Morata. Downloads in Spanish in the center of Ronaldo who, guilty left free to kick for Kumbulla, does not forgive putting Pau López with a low angle to the ground. The Portuguese thus finds the goal after two days of abstinence in the League. It is the 1-0 that allows Juve to manage the game with greater serenity. After suffering the disadvantage, Rome restarted with its usual maneuver, beautiful to look at but terribly unspecific. Borja Mayoral is hurting his soul trying to open spaces for his teammates but there is no way to put the chills in Szczesny. The only exception is the gift. Cristante with a splendid conclusion of the flight from the edge next to a breath. Juve does not look and as soon as it starts again it’s scary. Ronaldo at 22 ‘receives the ball from Rabiot, free from Kumbulla’s marking, he has time to stop and forcefully conclude a ball that hits the inside crossbar. On the occasion, the deviation of the Albanian defense itself is decisive. Mancini a few minutes later has a chance in the development of a corner but his little touch ends up on the side.

Dzeko is seen again but an own goal by Ibáñez closes the game

In the second half, Roma continues to show football but the problem remains the same: it lacks personality and precision in the face of goal. Juve is covered in order and does not disdain offensive starts as in the 56th minute when Morata from the edge touches the 2-0 with a slightly oversized conclusion from the edge. Rome pushes and blinds the same with greater conviction but never manages to break through with malice. Fonseca breaks the delay and after an hour of play enters Carles Pérez, Diawara and above all Dzeko. Pirlo responds with Kulusevski and Cuadrado instead of McKennie and Morata. Only the two new entrants open the way for the bianconeri to double in the 69th minute. Square from the right shoots with a great verticalization Kulusevski, well in the center of Ronaldo, anticipated by Ibáñez who enters through his door. Giallorossi’s center’s own goal effectively closes the game. Roma no longer believe in it and Juve manages the final with complete serenity. At the triple whistle, Juve can rejoice for the Giallorossi overtaking in qualifying. Pirlo is now Inter’s third five points leaders (with the game against Naples still to be recovered). For Roma it is another seasonal knockout against a big one. A tough defeat that leaves a lot of bitterness and risks compromising the place in the Champions League with Napoli and Lazio lurking and ready to join the classification.