Roma Host Juventus as Top-Four Push Enters Most Difficult Phase

Roma’s month of March may have seen their hopes of a Europa League title disappear, but domestically, their time on the pitch went off without a hitch. The Giallorossi only conceded one goal in Serie A all month, in their 2-1 win over Como, and won with clean sheets against their other three opponents, Empoli, Cagliari, and Lecce. Again, if we only look at the domestic side of things (sorry, Mats Hummels), the defensive discipline on display in these matches is now looking like a foundation instead of a fluke.

Meanwhile, Roma’s opponents tomorrow are dealing with a season that may not be as tumultuous as Roma’s, but now sees them in a moment of true uncertainty—all in a moment where Roma finally looks to have turned a page. ​Juventus are currently three points ahead of Roma in Serie A and one point Bologna in the race for Champions League qualification. The string of poor results that has led to Juventus’ current situation resulted in the dismissal of Thiago Motta and the appointment of Igor Tudor as head coach. While Tudor began his tenure with a narrow 1-0 victory over Genoa, he acknowledged the challenges ahead, describing Juventus as a “work in progress” and emphasizing the need for improvement as they prepare to face this in-form Roma side.

As Roma rides the momentum of a seven-game winning streak in Serie A, tomorrow’s match is a critical test for both teams. For Juventus, it’s an opportunity to regain stability and assert their credentials in the top-four race. For Roma, it’s a chance to capitalize on their domestic form and close the gap on their rivals and maybe bring Champions League football back to the Stadio Olimpico.

What To Watch For

Will the Svilar Show Continue?

Anyone who reads Chiesa di Totti knows how much of a mainstay Mile Svilar has been for this side—and with Paulo Dybala out for the season, the argument can be made that Svilar is the most impressive Roma player left standing. ​Svilar’s twelve clean sheets this season have been a difference-maker week in and week out for Roma, and they’re a strong indicator of the Serbian’s ability as a shot-stopper and his strong command of the penalty area. While there have been drops in form here and there for Roma’s defense, they have never come due to anything Svilar can control. Svilar has consistently been a reliable last line of defense, and all the rumors around his contract renewal and bigger clubs looking to pry him away from Rome only underscore just how valuable he’s become. At just 25 years old, Svilar has shown the kind of poise, reflexes, and leadership you’d expect from a seasoned veteran, not a young keeper still early in his career.

​Facing Juventus tomorrow presents Svilar with a significant challenge: maintaining his impressive clean sheet record against a team vying for Champions League qualification. Despite their recent managerial change and inconsistent form, Juventus remains a formidable opponent for Roma, and if Roma wants to get three points out of tomorrow’s match, they will need yet another star-level performance from Svilar.

Can Artem Dovbyk Notch a Goal Against a Giant?

Artem Dovbyk’s journey with Roma has been a tale of two halves.After a challenging start to the season, where he netted just four goals in his initial 14 Serie A appearances, the Ukrainian striker has found his rhythm with the support of Claudio Ranieri. Dovbyk has since scored seven goals in his last 12 league matches, bringing his season tally to 11 goals and two assists in 26 Serie A appearances and tying him for fifth overall top goalscorer in SErie A. This resurgence has been pivotal in Roma’s climb up the table, with his goals directly contributing to crucial points in their campaign—including turning Roma’s last two matches into 1-0 wins.

As Roma prepares to host Juventus, Dovbyk faces a formidable challenge much like Svilar. The Bianconeri, despite their managerial upheavals and recent inconsistencies, remain a defensive powerhouse. Juventus has conceded only 28 goals this season, making them the third-stingiest defense in the league. For Dovbyk, breaching this defense would not only help his reputation from his time with Girona transfer over more smoothly into Italy, while also providing Roma with a significant boost in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

Even more than just the hunt for Champions League football, tomorrow’s clash is more than just a test of Dovbyk’s scoring prowess. It’s an opportunity for him to cement his status as a key player for Roma moving forward. With Paulo Dybala gone for the season and Roma’s other offensive options either young (Matias Soulé), old (Stephan El Shaarawy), or on loan (Alexis Saelemaekers), Dovbyk could use the next two months to prove himself to be a Roman superstar for the present and the future. A goal against a top-tier opponent like Juventus could serve as a signal that Dovbyk is ready to deliver when it matters most. Let’s hope Roma’s #11 can rise to that occasion.

Match Details

Date: April 6th

Kickoff: 20:45 CET/14:45 EDT

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Roma

Referee: Andrea Colombo