A.S. Roma are on pace to make club history this season. Assuming they continue their winning ways they will end the season with the most points and victories in a single season out of any Roma squad in history. In those two parameters, their most successful season ever. Of course those parameters are perhaps not as indicative of success as, say, the Scudetto.
The fact that Roma are on pace to finish second, and not first, is a testament to the strength of the 2013-2013 Juventus side. Champions League failure aside – and we really cannot fully comprehend the outcome of that event until Juve’s Europa League journey finishes – this Juventus has been historically dominant in Serie A.
Juve need five league points to break the team record for most points in a season, currently held by Fabio Capello’s 2005-2006 Juve who notched up 91 points. [sic – these were revoked due to Calciopoli.] There is also a chance for Juventus to break the Serie A single season point record. This is held by the 2006-2007 Inter side, who compiled 97 points. Furthermore, Carlos Tevez could be the first Capocannoniere from Juventus since Alessandro Del Piero grabbed that award in the 2007-2008 season.
So both clubs are on pace to set records. Yet, it hasn’t been a very competitive Scudetto race. Roma have put together a very impressive season, especially given the club’s most recent history. Fortunately for the Giallorossi, they finally found the right man in Rudi Garcia. In some categories, Roma is arguably better than Juventus. Their defense has led up fewer goals in Serie A, and given the gulf in quality between Morgan De Sanctis and Gianluigi Buffon, one could argue that this stat doesn’t do Roma’s backline justice.
On the other hand, Juventus has scored more goals. The teams have an equal goal differential, as the gap between offense and defense for each side is the same: three goals.
If we look at head to head competition, the series is split at one game a piece. Roma did win in 1-0 in the Coppa Italia against arguably Juve’s B squad, while Juventus beat Roma 3-0 in Serie A. The final match up comes at the second to last match day. This is a shame for spectators, as the Scudetto will probably be clinched by then.
Much credit is due to Roma, and they seem to be ready to compete with Juventus in Serie A for the foreseeable future. A number of talented players have arrived who seem to be setting the base for a successful period in Rome: Mehdi Benatia, Kevin Strootman – who was one of the best midfielders in Serie A before he suffered a very unfortunate knee injury – and, Gervinho. They of course join Roma regulars such as Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti, and the results have followed.
However, further credit is due to Juventus. Not only did they outpace the historic Roma squad, en route to breaking their own records, but they did so while competing in European competition. Sure, they got knocked out of the Champions League. But that’s not my point. My point is that they had to contend with the fatigue and injuries that come with such competitions. This factor has continued as Juve have gone on through the Europa League.
In the face of all this, Antonio Conte has managed to balance squad rotation, domestic success, and – though not in the competition he hoped for – possible European glory. Juve are set to win their third straight Scudetto for the first time since the 1930s. Conte failed to do this as a player, coming close but never getting that third title. Now he can chalk one more thing off of his bucket list. Next year though, Romulus and Remus will be waiting.
