Italian Serie A
JuventusJuventus1RomaRoma0

Juventus 1-0 Roma: Champions win to go eight points clear

Mario Mandzukic
Mario Mandzukic has scored eight Serie A goals this season. His record is 10 in 2015-16

Unbeaten Juventus are eight points clear at the top of Serie A after a deserved victory over Roma.

Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal when he headed home from Mattia de Sciglio's cross.

Juve substitute Douglas Costa had a goal ruled out late on after a long video assistant referee delay following a foul in the build-up.

Roma would have lost by more if not for goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who denied Cristiano Ronaldo three times.

The Swede made two excellent stops from Ronaldo, who had 10 of Juve's 20 shots, and another two to deny Alex Sandro in the first half.

Juve captain Giorgio Chiellini had a header disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper, although it appeared to be a harsh decision.

Ronaldo also missed the target with a bicycle kick.

Juventus - with 16 wins and a draw - have the best record of any club after 17 games of a Serie A season. They are eight points above second-placed Napoli, who beat SPAL 1-0.

The champions are 16 points clear of third-placed Inter Milan, who drew 1-1 at Chievo.

Roma drop into 10th position, with manager Eusebio di Francesco under pressure.

Line-ups

Juventus

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Szczesny
  • 2De Sciglio
  • 19Bonucci
  • 3Chiellini
  • 12Alex Sandro
  • 30Bentancur
  • 5PjanicSubstituted forCanat 71'minutes
  • 14Matuidi
  • 10DybalaSubstituted forDouglas Costaat 80'minutes
  • 17Mandzukic
  • 7Cristiano Ronaldo

Substitutes

  • 4Benatia
  • 6Khedira
  • 11Douglas Costa
  • 18Kean
  • 21Pinsoglio
  • 22Perin
  • 23Can
  • 24Rugani
  • 33Bernardeschi
  • 37Spinazzola

Roma

Formation 5-3-2

  • 1Olsen
  • 18Santon
  • 44Manolas
  • 20Fazio
  • 11Kolarov
  • 24FlorenziSubstituted forKluivertat 45'minutes
  • 4Cristante
  • 42NzonziBooked at 40minsSubstituted forDzekoat 79'minutes
  • 22ZanioloBooked at 90mins
  • 17ÜnderSubstituted forPerottiat 71'minutes
  • 14SchickBooked at 81mins

Substitutes

  • 2Karsdorp
  • 3Pellegrini
  • 5Nunes Jesus
  • 8Perotti
  • 9Dzeko
  • 15Marcano
  • 27Pastore
  • 34Kluivert
  • 63Cerantola Fuzato
  • 83Mirante
Referee:
Davide Massa
Attendance:
40,069

Match Stats

Home TeamJuventusAway TeamRoma
Possession
Home51%
Away49%
Shots
Home20
Away7
Shots on Target
Home6
Away4
Corners
Home13
Away2
Fouls
Home9
Away12

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Juventus 1, Roma 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Juventus 1, Roma 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) right footed shot from long range on the right is too high. Assisted by Emre Can following a set piece situation.

  4. Booking

    Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  5. Post update

    Douglas Costa (Juventus) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma).

  7. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  8. Post update

    VAR: Goal. Referee decision on field cancelled.

  9. Post update

    Delay in match (Juventus). Video Review.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Blaise Matuidi (Juventus).

  11. Post update

    Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Alex Sandro (Juventus) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Justin Kluivert (Roma).

  14. Post update

    Attempt saved. Bryan Cristante (Roma) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Diego Perotti with a cross.

  15. Post update

    Foul by Alex Sandro (Juventus).

  16. Post update

    Justin Kluivert (Roma) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  17. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Diego Perotti.

  18. Post update

    Alex Sandro (Juventus) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Justin Kluivert (Roma).

  20. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Scores, Results & Fixtures

Saturday 22nd December 2018

  • JuventusJuventus1RomaRoma0
  • LazioLazio3CagliariCagliari1
  • EmpoliEmpoli2SampdoriaSampdoria4
  • GenoaGenoa3AtalantaAtalanta1
  • AC MilanAC Milan0FiorentinaFiorentina1
  • NapoliNapoli1SPALSPAL0
  • SassuoloSassuolo1TorinoTorino1
  • UdineseUdinese1FrosinoneFrosinone1
  • ChievoChievo1Inter MilanInter Milan1
  • ParmaParma0BolognaBologna0

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Juventus1716103482649
2Napoli17132234142041
3Inter Milan17103429141533
4Lazio178452520528
5AC Milan177642419527
6Sampdoria177552921826
7Fiorentina176742517825
8Sassuolo176742723425
9Atalanta177373123824
10Roma176652923624
11Torino175842018223
12Parma176471621-522
13Genoa175482534-919
14Cagliari173861623-717
15Empoli174492233-1116
16SPAL174491425-1116
17Udinese173591423-914
18Bologna172781324-1113
19Frosinone1716101236-249
20Chievo170891333-205
View full Italian Serie A table