Match Report: Juventus v AS Roma 20th December 2025
On 21 December 2025 by Gillyowl
Juventus 2 – 1 AS Roma
Roma were left ruing missed chances and fine margins as Juventus edged a flattering win that did little to reflect how tight – and nervy – the contest truly was.
Juventus took the lead just before the break through Francisco Conceição, finishing off one of their few moments of incision, before a scrappy second from Loïs Openda in the 70th minute threatened to kill the game. Roma, though, showed real character and finally got their reward when Tommaso Baldanzi struck to ignite a frantic final quarter of an hour that had the home crowd holding its breath.
Coming into the match with the best defensive record in Serie A – just eight goals conceded in 15 games – Roma were typically organised and disciplined. Mile Svilar was largely excellent and completely blameless for both Juventus goals, which came more from opportunism than sustained pressure.
Conceição broke his goal drought by latching onto Andrea Cambiaso’s flick and firing low into the corner, while Openda was simply in the right place at the right time to tap home after Weston McKennie’s ball flashed across goal – hardly a moment of genius, more a lapse punished.
Roma’s response was overdue but deserved. Baldanzi was alert and sharp, pouncing after Di Gregorio spilled Evan Ferguson’s shot, giving the Giallorossi belief and momentum at last. From that point on, it was Roma pushing, Roma probing, and Juventus hanging on.
Kenan Yildiz rattled the post in a rare counter, but otherwise Juventus spent the closing stages defending deep as Roma searched for an equaliser that never quite came.
For all the talk of Roma’s modest goal return this season, their late surge showed far more ambition and intent than the scoreline suggests. On another night, with a touch more luck, this ends very differently.
Instead, Roma miss the chance to go joint-top with Inter and remain three points off the summit, albeit with a game played more. Juventus may sit fifth, just a point behind Roma, but this felt less like a statement win and more like an escape.
