Juventus will host a struggling Roma side on Sunday, looking to continue their strong start to the season and prove that they are serious contenders for the Serie A title. Under new head coach Thiago Motta, Italy’s “Old Lady” appears revitalized, with back-to-back 3-0 wins against Como and Verona suggesting that a new era of exciting football is underway in Turin. However, these early victories have come against modest opposition, and the clash against Roma will be the first true test of their Scudetto credentials.
Motta’s Promising Start at Juventus
Thiago Motta’s arrival has brought a fresh approach to Juventus, breaking away from the cautious style of play that characterized their recent seasons. Motta, a relatively young coach with a growing reputation, has already shown an ability to blend youth with experience. Notably, he has incorporated players from Juventus’ “Next Gen” team, which competes in the third-division Serie C, into the first team.
Samuel Mbangula, 20, has emerged as a standout, scoring Juve’s first goal of the season against Como and assisting fellow “Next Gen” graduate Nicolo Savona in their win over Verona. These young talents have provided a spark for Juventus, complementing a strong summer transfer window that included the signing of star Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners from Atalanta for over 60 million euros.
Despite the promising start, Motta has remained grounded about Juve’s title chances, stating, “We’ve only played two matches, even if we’ve done very well because we’ve won both and played very well.” The Italian tactician recognizes that victories against teams like Como and Verona are not sufficient barometers for title ambitions. A more challenging test against Roma will provide a clearer picture of their capabilities.
Roma’s Woes Under De Rossi
In contrast, Roma enters the weekend fixture in a much different state. The team, led by Daniele De Rossi, has had a dismal start to the season, with their recent 2-1 defeat to Empoli marking their first-ever home loss to the Tuscan side. De Rossi, who replaced Jose Mourinho in January, is enduring a difficult baptism in his first full season in charge of his boyhood club.
Less than a year separates De Rossi and Motta in age, but their coaching careers have taken very different paths. Motta is already on his fourth managerial job, having previously coached Genoa, Spezia, and Bologna, while De Rossi’s only prior experience was a short-lived stint at lower-league side SPAL. Now, De Rossi faces a daunting challenge to prove his worth against a Juventus team on the rise.
A Weekend of Intriguing Serie A Fixtures
The Juventus vs. Roma clash is just one of several intriguing fixtures in Serie A this weekend. Current champions and Juve’s arch-rivals Inter Milan will host Atalanta on Friday, while AC Milan, under pressure with new coach Paulo Fonseca, travel to Lazio on Saturday. Milan is reeling from a disappointing loss to promoted side Parma and will look to bounce back against a Lazio team also seeking redemption after their defeat at Udinese.
Meanwhile, Napoli is preparing to host Parma with Romelu Lukaku potentially making his debut. Having completed a reported 30-million-euro transfer, Lukaku has reunited with former manager Antonio Conte at Napoli, where he hopes to prove that he is still a top-level striker capable of filling the void left by Victor Osimhen.
What to Expect: Juventus vs. Roma
Juventus will be keen to continue their momentum and showcase their credentials as genuine title contenders. With a squad bolstered by the arrival of Koopmeiners and the impressive contributions of their younger players, they are well-positioned to put pressure on a Roma side struggling for form and direction.
For Roma, this match represents an opportunity to restore confidence and silence critics after a rocky start. De Rossi’s ability to motivate his team and find tactical solutions will be tested to the fullest against a rejuvenated Juventus side ready to make a statement.
Serie A Weekend Fixtures (times GMT):
Friday:
- Venezia v Torino (16:30)
- Inter v Atalanta (18:45)
Saturday:
- Bologna v Empoli, Lecce v Cagliari (16:30)
- Napoli v Parma, Lazio v AC Milan (18:45)
Sunday:
- Genoa v Verona, Fiorentina v Monza (16:30)
- Juventus v Roma, Udinese v Como (18:45)
With so many compelling matches on the horizon, this weekend will provide an early glimpse of the potential title race in Italy’s top flight.
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