Sports Mole brings you live commentary from tonight's Serie A clash between Roma and Juventus.
By Sam Hughes, Reporter Filed: Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 19:15 UK
Last Updated: Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 22:11 UK
Juventus travelled to the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night for the Serie A clash against Roma.
Antonio Conte's side had the chance to go eight points clear at the top of Serie A with a win.
The Bianconeri, who had been in fine form, were desperate for another three points to fight off the challenge from Napoli as they chased their second successive title.
Roma, however, were hoping to turn their season around after a shocking run of form since the turn of the year.
The first half was evenly contested, with Roma just shading it thanks to their relentless pressing. Juventus struggled to settle into the game, but did come close from an Andrea Pirlo free kick.
The game opened up in the second half as both sides looked to get in front. Alessandro Matri had a chance for the away side, but it was Francesco Totti who struck for Roma. The captain smashed home from 20 yards to give his side the lead.
The Romans' defence then stood firm as Juventus piled on the pressure to secure what could prove to be a pivotal three points, both for Roma and in the title race.
FInd out how all the action unfolded on Sports Mole's live commentary below.
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7.15pmGood evening all! Welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's eagerly-anticipated clash between Roma and Juventus.
7.17pmRoma are without a win in the last six Serie A games and they face a huge task against league leaders Juventus.
7.18pmJuventus, on the other hand, have been in relentless form - they're currently unbeaten in the last five league games. On top of that, they're fresh from a dominant 3-0 win over Celtic in the Champions League.
7.20pmWith that in mind, it isn't exactly an ideal time for Roma to face the Bianconeri! They haven't won a game so far this year and need to turn their season around as soon as possible.
7.22pmJuventus can move eight points clear of nearest challengers Napoli - Antonio Conte will have his team fired up for tonight's clash!
7.27pmAnother interesting lineup from Aurelio Andreazzoli again - he's decided to go with Ivan Piris in a three-man defence. Daniele De Rossi continues in the heart of midfield after being restored to the side also.
7.29pmDaniel Osvaldo, who has been the subject of angry protests from Roma fans this week following his penalty miss against Sampdoria, leads the line tonight. The striker is supported by Francesco Totti and Erik Lamela, who will be hoping to exploit Juventus' defence.
7.30pmPaul Pogba and Kwadwo Asamoah step into Conte's starting lineup tonight, with Giorgio Chiellini, Paolo De Ceglie, Simone Pepe and Nicklas Bendtner all ruled out through injury.
7.32pmMirko Vucinic starts against his former club and will be partnered by an in-form Alessandro Matri - they are certain to give Roma's makeshift backline a real test tonight.
7.35pmIt'll be an interesting match up tonight. Roma can certainly cause any side a problem when they get forward, but their problem this season has been a leaky defence - they just cannot seem to keep the goals out.
7.36pmThe Romans have scored as many goals as Juve, but the difference lies in the goals conceded - Roma have let in 45, while the Turin side have only let 16 go past them this season.
7.39pmRoma will be hoping that Juve will suffer from fatigue after their European exploits - could that be their only hope in this tie?
7.41pmNot long until kickoff in the Stadio Olimpico. Predictions? It looks as though Juve will be much too strong for the out-of-form Roma, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Totti and co trouble Conte's men. I expect goals anyway!
3 minVucinic almost gets in on goal after a through ball from Andrea Pirlo - the Roma backline just manage to see it clear.
4 minRoma drive upfield with Daniel Osvaldo, who gets in a shot - it's well blocked by a stubborn Juventus defence, though.
7 minGood work from Roma again as Osvaldo makes himself a yard of space on the left-hand side - his shot is straight at Buffon, who gathers with ease.
9 minAndreazzoli will be pleased with his side's start so far - they've attacked Juve well so far and created a couple of early half chances. The away side are yet to truly settle, though.
11 minConte is prowling the touchline - he doesn't look too happy with his side so far!
11 minCHANCE! Osvaldo is played in behind the Juve defence, sprints past Buffon and hits across the box, but no-one is with him!
12 minThe striker went far too wide as he flew past Buffon - if he could have just controlled himself a bit better, that could have easily been 1-0!
15 minRoma are pressing Juventus very well in the opening stages. Conte's men have not had any time on the ball whatsoever so far and, as a result, they simply haven't settled.
17 minA free kick for Juve, here - De Rossi's late challenge gave it away.
18 minCHANCE! Pirlo curls his free kick round the wall and is close to scoring! Stekelenburg just palms in wide in the bottom right corner.
22 minJuventus are well and truly in this game now. They're pressuring Roma, who are looking worried every time the away side come forward. Andreazzoli will be hoping his men can withstand Juve's advances.
24 minPirlo, Pogba and Vidal are keeping the ball very well on the edge of Roma's 18-yard box as they look for an opening. So far Roma have dealt with everything that has been thrown at them - they do look fairly nervous, though!
24 minPirlo, Pogba and Vidal are keeping the ball very well on the edge of Roma's 18-yard box as they look for an opening. So far Roma have dealt with everything that has been thrown at them - they do look fairly nervous, though!
27 minThe home side have got hold of the ball in the past couple of minutes and brought a calmness to their game - it was needed!
29 minA quick break from Roma almost resulted in a chance as Osvaldo cut back to Totti. The veteran just couldn't find anyone in the area with his chip.
31 minTotti has just been booked for catching Pirlo late with a challenge - he'll miss the next game.
32 minThat wasn't a nice challenge from Totti - his foot was high and it looks as though he's really hurt Pirlo. The former AC Milan midfielder is still on the floor as the physio tends to him.
33 minPirlo is up and hobbling off the field in some discomfort - it looks as though he will carry on. Totti can count himself lucky that he didn't fully catch his countryman as that could have been a red.
36 minRoma have come into a second spell of possession, here. They're keeping the ball well and searching for an opportunity. Juventus are very well organised when defending, though - it's difficult for Roma to find any kind of space in the final third.
43 minWe're heading towards half time now and Roma are still coming forward with confidence against the league leaders.
45 minOsvaldo is all over the Juventus backline - he isn't giving them a second on the ball. Fantastic energy from the enigmatic frontman.
45 minTwo minutes have been added on by the referee.
8.35pmWell, it was a half of very few chances, but Roma will be delighted with their performance against the Serie A leaders so far.
8.38pmOsvaldo has been impressive up front for the home side and is definitely worrying Juventus' defence with his movement. However, it's the organisation that has stood out for Roma so far.
8.39pmAfter being so poor in defence this season, it has to be said that the three at the back is working so far - they've been organised and aggressive in challenge. They look well up for the test.
8.41pmIt took a while for Juve to get going, but they did look dangerous in spells. Vucinic and Matri have been alert, but the closest Conte's side got to goal was through a Pirlo free kick. They're going to have to improve in the second half if they want to go on and secure the three points.
8.44pmIt'll be interesting to see how Andreazzoli sets his team up for the second half - will they be brave and go all out for the win? The gung-ho style has been their downfall this season, but with a seemingly strong defence, can they now afford to attack?
8.46pmYou'd expect the Biaconeri to come out with real purpose in this half as they'll want to go eight points clear - it'll be a huge test for Roma, but they have stood up well so far.
8.49pmNot long until we're back to the action at Stadio Olimpico - it's finely poised, but I think Juve will still have too much for a much-improved Roma side.
8.50pmThe players are back out onto the pitch - there's been no changes from either side.
47 minCHANCE! Roma break and Totti plays Osvaldo in on goal, but the striker can only put the ball wide of the post after some pressure from the Juve defence.
49 minCHANCE! Juventus go straight up the other end as the ball falls to Vucinic on the 18-yard box - the striker's volley goes just wide! Very close!
53 minCHANCE! Pogba plays in Matri, who turns and hits first time. Stekelenburg keeps out the effort, though.
54 minThis game has really opened up in the opening stages of the second half - both sides definitely want the win!
55 minDOUBLE SUBSTITUTION! Vucinic is replaced by Giovinco and Padoin comes on for Asamoah.
58 minA huge goal for Roma! Pjanic's free kick is blocked by the Juve defence, but rolls to the veteran playmaker, who smashes the ball into the top left-hand corner from 20 yards. A fantastic strike!
60 minThat really was some strike from Totti! Juventus are going to have to come out and attack now - we've got a real game in store from here on in!
63 minJuve have certainly got hold of the ball and come forward since the goal, but to be fair to Roma, they've done their equal share, too. It looks like they want another!
66 minFantastic pressure from Osvaldo again - Juventus are struggling to clear when he hunts them down.
67 minCHANCE! A corner falls to Lamela in the box, but the forward just can't move his feet quick enough to get clean contact on the ball and puts it wide.
69 minSUBSTITUTION! Bradley replaces Pjanic - it looks like Andreazzoli is looking to make things a bit more solid in the middle for his side.
70 minCHANCE! Wonderful play by Lamela as he drifts past three Juve defenders to get into the box - he's just closed down by the last man as he heads toward goal. Very positive from Roma, here!
72 minSUBSTITUTION! Anelka comes on for Vidal - the away side are going for it now.
75 minRoma are keeping the tempo high and closing Juve down well as they start to push into the final third. Conte's men are looking to set up camp in Roma's half for the final 15 minutes, but Lamela and Osvaldo are looking lethal on the break. They will have to keep an eye on those two as they go forward.
77 minCHANCE! Lamela fires a cross in from the right that Buffon gets a hand to, though it falls to Marquinho, who sees his shot charged down by the defenders. That was a big chance! It could've wrapped up the game.
80 minPirlo isn't happy! He thinks Lamela has purposely elbowed him as he turned to get away from the midfielder. He certainly caught him, but I'm not sure he did that on purpose.
83 minSUBSTITUTION! Balzaretti replaces Marquinho as Roma shut up shop.
87 minJuventus are really piling on the pressure, but Roma are standing up tall to every attack. Can they hold on for three vital points?
88 minSUBSTITUTION! Alessandro Florenzi replaces the goal scorer Francesco Totti.
90 min+2A huge kick forward from Buffon starts what could be the last attack for Juve - can they get a late, late equaliser?
90 min+3Fantastic play from Lamela again! The Argentine skips past Pirlo, forcing the verteran midfielder into a foul and buying his side some more time. Pirlo gets a yellow, too.
9.41pmControversy at the final whistle! Juve had a corner as the referee blew the whistle - they're not happy as Buffon had ran the length of the pitch to join the attack!
9.42pmA first win of the year from Roma and it's come against the league leaders Juvetus! That could prove to be huge for Roma and they will surely look to build on that result.
9.44pmA missed opportunity for Juventus - they could have gone eight points clear tonight, but that loss opens the door for challengers Napoli.
9.45pmRoma fully deserved that result on the overall play. They were strong, resolute and determined in defence - that's probably the first time we've seen that from them this season. Going forward, the front three were fantastic, too. Osvaldo and Lamela never stopped running and Totti's finish was top quality.
9.47pmConte will not be happy with his side's showing. They lacked a cutting edge going forward and never really looked like breaking through Roma's back line.
9.48pmRead the match report of tonight's encounter from Paul Gorst here.
9.49pmThat's us done for tonight - thanks for joining Sports Mole's live text commentary.