AS Roma vs. Juventus: Final score 0-1, Osvaldo nets last-gasp winner
Despite Roma being the better side for most of the match, Juventus netted a last-gasp winner at the Olimpico.
With neither side having anything to play for, it was easy to imagine this game ending up as a drab, lifeless affair. Fortunately the opposite proved to be true, with both sides making the most of their freedom in a pulsating first half.
Roma were the more spritely early on, and thought they'd taken the lead when Vasilis Torosidis nudged the ball past Marco Storari inside 20 minutes in, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. They went close again five minutes later, though Francesco Totti fired over on the volley.
Juventus looked increasingly dangerous as the half wore on, and striker Fernando Llorente forced an excellent save from young Roma keeper Łukasz Skorupski after 26 minutes. They still weren't wholly convincing at the back though, and only a stop from Storari when face-to-face with Gervinho prevented Roma taking the lead.
However, the bianconeri also saved their best chance of the half until last. Paul Pogba produced a low rocket from outside the box, only to see it crack back off Skorupski's post. Somehow the two teams trudged off at the break with the game still goalless.
Roma seized control once again after the restart, with Storari diving to stop a Torosidis effort and Mattia Destro’s subsequent rebound early on. The giallorossi saw comfortably more of possession, with only some deep defending from Juve preventing them finding a way through.
Juve were restricted to playing on the counter-attack, and rarely at that. Their best opportunity came when a long pass found Stephan Lichtsteiner in space, though once again young Skorupski proved equal to the wing-back's powerful shot, tipping it away from danger.
But unfortunately for the hosts, Storari was just as good at the other end. With just over five minutes left he guaranteed the game ended all square with a super double save; first diving to keep out Radja Nainggolan, then Alessandro Florenzi's rebound. It would prove to be a vital stop.
That’s because Juve finally came up with a winner in the last of the four minutes of stoppage time; substitute Osvaldo finding space in the box and curling it into Skorupski’s top corner. It was a kick in the teeth for the giallorossi, who’ll be thankful the points don’t count for anything.
AS Roma: Skorupski; Bastos, Castán, Benatia (Tolói 72’), Torosidis; Nainggolan, De Rossi (Taddei 55’), Pjanić; Destro (Florenzi 80’), Totti, Gervinho.
Goals: None.
Juventus: Storari; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli (Cáceres 74’); Asamoah, Pogba, Padoin (Marchisio 83’), Pirlo, Lichtsteiner; Llorente (Osvaldo 75’), Tévez.
Goals: Osvaldo (90+4’).
