Juventus end Roma’s perfect run in thrilling style

Sport360 staff 05:53 06/10/2014
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  • Main man: Leonardo Bonucci (c) after striking Juventus’ decisive third of the night.

    Leonardo Bonucci struck the winner four minutes from time as Juventus ended Roma’s perfect run this season.

    The game between the top two in Turin looked to be heading for a 2-2 draw before Bonucci drilled a right-footed volley past Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.

    Both teams ended the game down to 10 men after Alvaro Morata and Roma defender Kostas Manolas were shown a straight red for clashing on the sideline.

    Roma had gone into the contest riding a five-match winning run in the league while Juventus had Andrea Pirlo making his first appearance since the World Cup.

    The hosts created the first danger in the 11th minute when Claudio Marchisio’s 15-yard shot was saved by Skorupski.

    The referee then awarded Juve a penalty after his assistant spotted a handball by Roma defender Maicon from Pirlo’s free-kick. Carlos Tevez struck the spot-kick towards the far post and out of Skorupski’s reach.

    Juve’s joy was shortlived as Roma were given a penalty after Stephan Lichtsteiner was adjudged to have pulled back Francesco Totti in the box. Totti made no mistake and struck the ball past Gianluigi Buffon.

    The goal inspired the visitors, who went in front when Gervinho sent Iturbe through and the Argentine beat the offside trap and coolly struck a left-footed shot from 15 yards past Buffon.

    Roma conceded another penalty before the interval when Miralem Pjanic tripped Paul Pogba in the area. Tevez again stepped up to take the spot-kick and found the bottom left corner of the goal to make it 2-2.

    On the hour mark, Pjanic should have done better but failed to get a touch on Gervinho’s dangerous cross at the far post.

    The hosts were unlucky not to go in front in the 81st minute when Morata’s powerful header from Lichsteiner’s cross hit the crossbar but Bonucci came to the rescue when Roma cleared a corner straight at the defender and his powerful volley beat Skorupski.

    With one minute remaining, Morata and Manolas were sent off, the Greek reacting violently after being fouled by the Spanish striker.

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