']]}It could've been Francesco Totti's day, as he scored two goals; but in the end the star of the day was Vincenzo Iaquinta. The forward, a summer signing from Udinese, repaid Ranieri's choice to play him from the start with an extraordinary performance: an assist for Trezeguet's opening goal - the Frenchman's 100th goal in Serie A - and a decisive header that set the final score at 2-2. Shame about Del Piero missing a penalty at the start of the second half, and most of all about Andrade having to leave the pitch injured on a stretcher. The Bianconeri are back in contention and ready to face Reggina (Wednesday night) and Torino in next Sunday's derby.
Forty days after the friendly in Cesena, but most importantly one and a half years after their last official match, Roma and Juventus faced each other in the League again. In the most important match of the fourth round, Ranieri's team visited the team of the moment without any fears. The Manager surprised everyone by playing three up front: Iaquinta, Trezeguet and Del Piero. Behind them, three midfielders: Nocerino (who perfectly recovered from Monday night's accident), ex-Roma player Zanetti and Nedved. In defence, Grygera made his seasonal debut alongside first team regulars Andrade, Criscito and Chiellini. Buffon was in goal with Vanstrattan on the bench due to Belardi's injury. Almiron couldn't recover on time and wasn't even on the bench.
Juventus were showed no fear from the start. Captain Del Piero positioned himself in the middle, a few yards behind Trezeguet and Iaquinta. Nocerino started well and had a couple of good runs on the right wing. But the first chance was for the Giallorossi, when Cassetti came in from the right and forced Buffon to deflect for a corner. Juventus replied with Iaquinta, who crossed from the right, Doni did what he could and Cassetti anticipated Del Piero.
17 was not an unlucky number for Juventus as they scored after 17 minutes with the player who wears the number 17. Del Piero passed to Iaquinta, who immediately crossed, and Trezeguet's header was flawless. This was the 100th goal in Serie A for David, and the first seasonal goal scored against Roma by anyone, but most of all it meant Ranieri's team were in front. They could have increased the lead a few minutes later, when Del Piero went close from a free kick. The three up front were moving around a lot and every time they had the ball they created havoc in Roma's defence, for example after 26 minutes when Iaquinta made a run on the left wing and passed to Del Piero, who was stopped by Juan.
Roma were struggling, they lost Cassetti (Cicinho replaced him), but then they found the equalizer thanks to an individual effort by Totti. Roma's captain went past Criscito and beat Buffon with a right footer from inside the penalty area. The hosts were galvanized and after stopping a Del Piero run, they scored again. Mancini put the ball in for Aquilani, Buffon was exceptional but could do nothing against Totti's tap-in. Juventus responded immediately and Doni was outstanding on a Del Piero volley from Iaquinta’s pass. The result didn't change for the rest of the half.
Second half. Ranieri tried the same move as in Cagliari again: Legrottaglie on for Criscito. Roma began better, they had two corner kicks and Mancini didn't get to the ball just a few feet from Buffon. The biggest chance was for Juventus however. Chiellini gave a through ball to Nedved, who was brought down inside the box by Cicinho, but Del Piero's penalty kick went high over the bar. Fortunately for Juventus, one minute later Perrotta didn't add insult to injury; he put the ball high too from in front of goal and the score remained 2-1. But Ranieri was forced to change his defenders around. Andrade suffered an injury and was replaced by Birindelli, with Grygera swapping to a central position.
Buffon was in the spotlight again when he stopped a Totti free kick and saved on Mancini on the rebound. The Bianconeri replied with Del Piero again, who got a corner kick and then he passed a long ball to Iaquinta, who couldn't score because Doni desperately ran out towards him. Giuly then came on for Mancini, just when Juventus were doing all they could to equalize. Roma tried to go on the counter-attack but they were often offside.
Ranieri made his third and final substitution when he put on Palladino in place of Del Piero. Juventus never gave up, they resisted when the Giallorossi went on the counter-attack and they were finally rewarded after 88 minutes. There was one of the usual long Chiellini throw-ins and Iaquinta's header went into the net, the right reward for the man of the match. The final score remained 2-2. Ranieri's team leave Rome with a well-deserved point that gives them a boost for their next games: the Wednesday one against Reggina, and then next Sunday's derby against Torino.
ROMA-JUVENTUS 2-2 (2-1)
GOALS: Trezeguet 17 mins, Totti 30 and 36 mins, Iaquinta 88 mins
ROMA: Doni; Cassetti (Cicinho 28 mins), Juan, Mexes, Tonetto; De Rossi, Aquilani; Taddei (Brighi 84 mins), Perrotta, Mancini (Giuly 62 mins); Totti.
Subs not used: Curci, Ferrari, Pizarro, Vucinic.
Manager: Spalletti.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Andrade (Birindelli 54 mins), Criscito (Legrottaglie 46 mins), Chiellini; Nocerino, Zanetti, Nedved; Iaquinta, Trezeguet, Del Piero (Palladino 74 mins).
Subs not used: Vanstrattan, Molinaro, Salihamidzic, Tiago.
Manager: Ranieri.
REFEREE: Morganti from Ascoli Piceno.
YELLOW CARDS: Mancini 18 mins, Iaquinta 18 mins, Criscito 23 mins, Cicinho 48 mins, Chiellini 80 mins
NOTES: Del Piero missed a penalty after 49 mins.
Refer : Juventus.com