Juventus beat Roma, fixture list now favours their top-four chase | OneFootball

After Bologna and Rome, Spalletti’s team glimpses fourth place: three favorable matches to complete the overtaking

Juventus, the Champions League chase takes shape: Roma beaten and now the calendar favors the Bianconeri

Not all victories carry the same weight. Some are worth more than the three points they assign, because they change perspectives, mood, and the perception of a season. Juventus’ win against Roma falls exactly into this category: a victory that could mark the turning point of a campaign so far lived through ups and downs.

After overcoming Bologna, Juventus also asserted themselves with authority in their second consecutive direct clash and are now just one point away from the Champions League zone. This result allows Spalletti and his men to approach the Christmas break with greater serenity and, above all, with a finally encouraging league table. Fourth place is there, within reach, and the calendar seems to be giving the Bianconeri a real helping hand.

A favorable schedule fuels Champions League ambitions

The path leading to the end of the first round appears anything but prohibitive. Juventus will face away matches against Pisa and Sassuolo, with a home game against Lecce in between. Three fixtures in which the minimum objective will be to take maximum points, with the awareness that a string of positive results could result in overtaking Roma.

“Looking at the standings today is legitimate, but without losing balance,” filters from the Bianconeri camp, where the key word remains continuity, the real Achilles’ heel of Juventus’ season.

Encouraging signs: Bremer leads, Openda steps up

The match against the Giallorossi offered technical and tactical indications of great significance. The first sign comes from the return of Bremer in the starting lineup, an authentic pillar of the Juventus defense. The Brazilian center-back, who stayed on the pitch for about an hour, neutralized Dybala and led the back line with personality and precision. As long as he was on the field, Roma never really managed to be dangerous.

Up front, the best of Openda was finally on display. Beyond the goal—easy but crucial—the striker put in his most complete performance in a Juventus shirt: always involved in the play, effective with his back to goal, and valuable in linking up with teammates. A goal that could represent a decisive psychological turning point for his future performances.

Zhegrova, talent to refine but immediate impact

Among the positives was also the introduction of Zhegrova. From one of his initiatives came the move that led to Openda’s goal, thanks to his assist for McKennie. The winger showed clear quality and still untapped potential. The only blemish remains the ball lost in the central area that triggered Roma’s goal. His physical condition is not yet optimal, but the margins for growth are significant.

The certainties: Yildiz shines, dominant midfield

Then there are the confirmations, those that now represent solid certainties for Spalletti. Yildiz confirms himself as the technical and emotional beacon of the team. Starting from the left, the Turkish talent becomes uncatchable and constantly creates superiority. Against Roma, he delivered a high-level performance, embellished with quality plays, though only a goal was missing to complete his masterpiece.

Positive signs also came from Conceiçao, who returned to scoring before stopping due to a muscle problem, and from a midfield duo that dominated the scene. Locatelli provided balance and order, while Thuram gave rhythm, strength, and structure, controlling the heart of the game.

The Spalletti effect works, but caution is needed

Spalletti’s work is starting to produce concrete effects: a clearer identity, greater solidity, and a team that seems to have regained confidence in its abilities. However, caution still prevails at Juventus. “Feet firmly on the ground” is the mantra accompanying this positive moment, because the season has already shown how easy it is to lose what has been built.

The road to the Champions League is still long, but today, Juventus has regained momentum, belief, and a calendar that invites them to truly believe.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.