The destination of the Scudetto could become clearer on Monday evening as Roma and Juventus clash in Serie A’s top of the table clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
The defending champions have won 77 of their 161 previous matches against last season’s runners-up in Serie A and secured a 3-2 victory when the two sides met in a fiery encounter at the Juventus Stadium in October.
Three penalties, two red cards and a late disputed winning goal by Leonardo Bonucci ended up being discussed in parliamentary question time, while the performance of match official Gianluca Rocchi was described as a ‘horror show.’
Of the polemics that raged in the aftermath, one of the most notable was Roma coach Rudi Garcia claiming his side were stronger than Juventus and that they would go on to win the Scudetto this season.
However, the Giallorossi have since suffered from a loss of form drawing six of their last seven Serie A matches and managing only nine goals in as many games in the league.
With nine points now separating the two teams, Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has more recently suggested that his side should now be more concerned about consolidating second place.
In addition to this concession, Juve can also take reassurance from knowing that their nine-point advantage is the joint-biggest that any Serie A team has held after 24 rounds in the era of three points for a win.
Monday’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that it has happened five times before, and on all five occasions the team that achieved such an advantage went on to win the title.
The Bianconeri are unbeaten in all competitions in 2015 after 11 matches, but have drawn in their last two away league matches at Udinese and Cesena.
Andrea Pirlo is set to miss the next three weeks after suffering a calf injury during the Champions League Round of 16 first leg win against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
Paul Pogba is also a doubt due to a thigh problem, which means that Stefano Sturaro could make his Juventus debut after being recalled from his loan at Genoa.
Juan Iturbe was a second-half substitute in Roma’s 2-1 Europa League win at Feyenoord on Thursday after recovering from ligament damage in his knee and ankle.
Maicon and Victor Ibarbo are still unavailable though injury, while Kevin Strootman, Leandro Castan and Federico Balzaretti are long-term absentees.
Form Guide: Roma (D-D-D-W-D-D) Juventus (W-W-D-W-D-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Roma: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Manolas, Astori, Holebas; Pjanic, Keita, Nainggolan; Gervinho, Totti, Ljajic.
Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Sturaro, Marchisio, Vidal; Pereyra; Tevez, Morata.
