AS Roma and Juventus played to a 1-1 draw in Serie A on Sunday, with Roma’s Eldor Shomurodov equalizing after a first-half goal from Juve captain Manuel Locatelli.
Locatelli broke the deadlock for the visitors five minutes before halftime with a shot from outside the area. Shortly after the break, Roma substitute Shomurodov leveled the score, firing a shot off the crossbar from close range after a rebound.
Juventus had to settle for a draw in new manager Igor Tudor’s second game in charge, following a winning start last weekend with a 1-0 victory over Genoa.
The match began with Juventus on the offensive, as Timothy Weah tested Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar from distance within the first three minutes. Roma’s Bryan Cristante had a close-range attempt saved by a fantastic block from Juve defender Pierre Kalulu. Dusan Vlahovic also posed a threat to Roma’s goal with a header.
The hosts, who were without injured striker Paulo Dybala, nearly took the lead when Stephan El Shaarawy hit the post with a header just before Locatelli scored for Juventus. Kalulu’s cross was cleared from around the penalty spot, but Locatelli struck a first-time shot into the bottom corner to give Juventus the lead.
Roma, who had no shots on target in the first half, equalized in the 49th minute through halftime substitute Shomurodov. Evan Ndicka tested Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio with a header from a corner, and Shomurodov was in position to score from the follow-up.
Juventus is currently fifth with 56 points after 31 games, level with fourth-placed Bologna, who will host second-placed Napoli on Monday. Roma sits seventh with 53 points and remains in contention for Champions League qualification for the first time in seven years.
However, Claudio Ranieri’s team still needs to face leaders Inter Milan, third-placed Atalanta, Fiorentina, and AC Milan after their match against sixth-placed Lazio next weekend.
