Juventus 2-0 Roma: Player ratings as Bianconeri move up to third in Serie A

Juventus came into the game looking to extend their five-game winning streak in all competitions and close the gap on Serie A leaders AC Milan.

Their visitors AS Roma, on the other hand, were looking to continue in their surprise title charge and recover from their bizarre exit from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Spezia.

Roma controlled proceedings in the early stages of the game against Juventus, but found themselves behind after a wonder strike from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Paulo Fonseca's men were even more threatening in the second half as they continually probed and ran at the Juventus defence.

However, all their hard work was undone when Roger Ibanez inadvertently turned the ball into his net to double Juventus's lead in the 70th minute.

Roma threw men forward in the dying minutes of the game, but the defending champions did well to hold on to both their lead and the clean sheet.

The result sees the two sides switch places on the league table. Juventus move up to third, five points off Inter Milan at the top of the table.

Juventus have a game in hand, though, and will be hopeful of winning it to further close the gap at the top.

Roma, meanwhile, fall to the fourth spot on the Serie A table, seven points adrift of AC Milan and three points ahead of fifth-placed Napoli who play later tonight.

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Juventus Player Ratings

Wojciech Szczesny - 7/10

The Juventus shot-stopper had nothing to do for the first half as Roma had no shot on target. He was called on to work more in the second half, though, and he did just that. He made three comfortable saves to see out the game and secure the three points.

Danilo - 7/10

The Brazilian offered little both defensively or in the Juventus attack, but he was always on hand to provide an extra body in the box, and he repeatedly put his body on the line to block shots.

Leonardo Bonucci - 7.5/10

The Italian and his partner did a very good job of limiting the goalscoring chances of the visitors as he repelled wave after wave of attacks, forcing Roma to resort largely to shots from outside the box. He, unfortunately, came off with an injury in the dying minutes of the game.

Giorgio Chiellini - 7.5/10

The Juventus captain had the most touches, passes, and clearances for his side as he looked to ensure both the three points and clean sheet. He was in his characteristic composed self at the back all game.

Alex Sandro - 7/10

The normally lively left-back had a fairly quiet evening by his standards as he could not offer much attacking wise. However, the Juventus full-back was diligent in his defensive duties, winning a joint team-high six ground duels before he was forced off with an injury at the 85th minute.

Arthur - 6.5/10

The Brazilian kept play ticking for his side, but was sometimes slower than the pace of the game. He was booked late in the first half for a challenge on Mkhitaryan.

Adrien Rabiot - 7/10

The Juventus midfielder was utterly dominant in the heart of the park, outstandingly completing all his passes in the game. He was very diligent in his defensive duties too winning multiple duels and tackles for his side.

Federico Chiesa - 6.5/10

Chiesa was another player who had an uncharacteristic quiet evening in attack, but he was solid defensively as he was on hand to clear the ball out of danger repeatedly. The Juventus forward was replaced by Bernardeschi late in the game.

Weston McKennie - 6.5/10

The American international was played in an unfamiliar left midfield position, so he struggled to impact the game. He was Juventus' first removal of the evening, coming off for Cuadrado in the 65th minute.

Alvaro Morata - 6.5/10

Morata provided the assist for the opener with a simple layoff for Ronaldo to strike. He faded off as the game wore on though as he had no shot all game before he was replaced by Kulusevski in the 65th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 8/10

The 36-year-old proved age is just a number with an outstanding left-footed strike from outside the area to open the scoring.

He was unlucky not to get a second goal in the first half as he hit the woodwork.

He would have gotten Juventus' final goal of the game as well, as Ibanez turned the ball into his net before it got to his feet.

Substitutes

Dejan Kulusevski - 7/10

The young Swede was rather passive when he came on for the final 25 minutes of the game but his sudden burst to life led to the second goal for Juventus. He sent in a deadly ball into the box that forced Ibanez to turn it into his own net.

Juan Cuadrado - 7/10

He played in Kulusevski for the cut-back that led to the second goal with a well-weighted pass around the Roma defence. He played only 25 minutes but was far more involved in the game than McKennie who made way for him.

AS Roma Player Ratings

Juventus v AS Roma - Serie A

Pau Lopez - 5/10

Nothing he could do about the opening goal as it was a cleanly hit strike by Ronaldo. He made a vital save to deny Ronaldo a second in the first half.

Rick Karsdorp - 5.5/10

The Dutchman was active down the right flank as he repeatedly looked to take opposition players on. He could not offer much else before being removed at the 75th minute.

Gianluca Mancini - 6.5/10

The defender was very tidy in possession all game and even got a chance to draw his side level in the first half. However, he could only guide his thumping header wide off the goal. He was Roma's best defender of the game as he won several duels both on the ground and in the air.

Roger Ibanez - 4/10

He was unfortunate to score the own goal, which more or less sealed the game for Juventus. He completed the most ground duels for his side.

Marash Kumbulla - 5.5/10

The Hellas Verona loanee did a good job of covering for Spinazzola, who was always high up the pitch. He also nullified Chiesa's threat down his flank.

Leonardo Spinazzola - 5/10

The former Juventus man was lively going forward on the left flank and was situated high up the pitch for long periods of the game, but he struggled to create anything noteworthy for his side.

Gonzalo Villar - 6/10

The Spaniard was very dogged defensively as he completed four of his six attempted duels alongside two tackles and one interception. He did his job decently before he was substituted off on the hour mark.

Jordan Veretout - 6/10

Veretout was very threatening from corners as he repeatedly swung in useful balls for his team, but they failed to capitalize. He attempted a game-high 10 crosses and created two chances for his side.

Bryan Cristante - 5/10

The captain found himself in an uncharacteristic right-wing position due to injuries and suspensions. His midfield mindset saw him constantly drift infield to occupy the half-spaces and accommodate Karsdorp outside him, but it did not amount to much.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 6.5/10

He constantly drove his side forward all game and was solid in doing so. Probably Roma's best player all game, he looked to take opposition defenders on and play the difficult passes. He completed all four long balls he attempted and lost just one duel all game.

Borja Mayoral - 5/10

The striker drew back numerous times to link play for his side and get involved in the build-up as he seemed isolated for most parts of the game. He was constantly shadowed by both Juventus central defenders before he was replaced at the 63rd minute by the more imposing Edin Dzeko.

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Substitutes

Amadou Diawara - 5/10

He came on for Villar for the final 27 minutes of the game, and he was highly mobile during his time on the pitch. He completed one tackle and one interception.

Edin Dzeko - 6/10

The veteran striker was brought on to deal with the physicality of Chiellini and Bonucci in the back line, and he did that fairly, winning all but one of his aerial duels. He also created one chance for his side but couldn't get a goal to start a comeback.

Carles Perez - 6/10

He was vivacious when he was brought on for Cristante in a much more familiar position. He got one of Roma's three shots on target all game and created two chances for the Giallorossi.