Serie A's expected top two didn't exactly get off to good starts last week. AS Roma and Juventus might have been looking ahead to each other as both turned in relatively poor performances. Roma drew away to Hellas Verona, while Juventus lost to Udinese.
Juventus vs. Roma 2015 streaming: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Serie A online
Serie A’s two top teams from last season face off in an important early season match.
Dino Panato/Getty Images
Still, they have the two best squads in Serie A, and Sunday’s game is going to set an early title favorite.
Both teams are currently struggling to get new signings blended in. Roma have kept old favorites like Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti, but have given most of the squad a massive makeover. Juventus' moves have been less dramatic, but bigger stars have left. Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez are all gone.
Midfield is a mess for Juventus at the moment, with their stars' replacements struggling with injury. Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio are both out, so Simone Padoin is deputizing in the center. Paul Pogba will be expected to run the show in the center in their absence, and he was unspectacular in Juve's opener.
Going forward, Roma need to find their chemistry fast. Their attackers are talented, but they didn’t click against Hellas, and will need to be much better against Juve.
Key matchup — Mohamed Salah vs. Patrice Evra and Giorgio Chiellini
Roma’s new winger is one of the fastest players in Serie A, and he’ll be up against some players who aren’t quite as pacey. Chiellini and Evra are two of the most experienced players in the league, though, and should have a trick or two up their sleeves to keep a more athletic player in check.
Will Juan Cuadrado play a role?
Probably only off the bench, though it's not impossible that he steps in at right wingback, if Max Allegri wants to stick with a back three. He's not exactly a great defender in that position, but he's played it before, and neither Stephan Lichtsteiner or Mauricio Isla was impressive last week. Starting Cuadrado in a more natural role would require a change to a formation with wingers, which Allegri hasn't used much at all during his career.
AS Roma injuries and suspensions
Out: Antonio Rüdiger (knee), Kevin Strootman (knee).
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Kwadwo Asamoah (knee), Sami Khedira (thigh), Claudio Marchisio (thigh). In doubt: Kingsley Coman (sale pending).
Match date/time: Sunday, noon ET, 6 p.m. local
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. and Canada - English), RAI (U.S. and Canada - Italian), BT Sport Europe (U.K.), Sky Sport 1 (Italy)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S. and Canada), Fubo, Sling (U.S.), BT Sport( U.K.), Sky Go (Italy)
Listings for other countries at LiveSoccerTV.
See More:
