Juventus 1-0 Roma: Player ratings as Allegri trumps Mourinho

Juventus continued their recovery from their early season woes with a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Roma.

Massimiliano Allegri beat Jose Mourinho in their first meeting since 2018 in fortunate circumstances, as the home side climbed to seventh in the Serie A table.

Wojciech Szczesny had to be on hand to deny Roma from taking a fifth-minute lead, clawing Gianluca Mancini's free header off the line.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's effort from distance was deflected just over by Giorgio Chiellini shortly after as Juventus struggled to cope with Roma's early threat.

But the home side took the lead against the run of play after a quarter of an hour as Rodrigo Bentancur rose highest to meet Mattia De Sciglio's cross, and his header was deflected in off of Moise Kean.

Juventus seemed content on sitting deep and playing on the counter attack, but nearly came unstuck on the break themselves when Matias Vina was freed down the left flank. His cross found Tammy Abraham, but it was just too high for him to get a solid contact on it and his header was comfortably saved.

There was controversy on the stroke of half-time when Abraham danced through the Juventus area and was brought down by Danilo. Play was allowed to continue as Henrikh Mkhitaryan had the chance to score, but he too was fouled by Szczesny and the referee awarded a penalty, even though Abraham had managed to get back to his feet and tap in the loose ball.

Jordan Veretout stepped up to the spot, but Szczesny made amends with a fine save low to his left and Roma were denied an equaliser.

Federico Bernardeschi nearly scored an unbelievable overhead kick just after the restart but was denied by Rui Patricio and Kean was unable to keep the rebound down.

Roma were nearly awarded another penalty when Giorgio Chiellini swung at a loose ball in his own box, and his wild effort brought down Lorenzo Pellegrini. After a lengthy VAR check, the referee's decision not to point to the spot stood.

Veretout nearly found the leveller with a curling strike from distance, but it went narrowly wide of Szczesny's net.

Vina then weaved his way through the Juve backline before his resulting shot was blocked by Chiellini, while Bryan Cristante's effort deflected out off of Leonardo Bonucci.

But Juve held on to secure a vital three points as they look to get their season back on track.

Juventus player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - 7/10 - Gave away the penalty but produced a great save to keep it out.

Danilo (RB) - 6/10 - The utility man was generally more reliable than the stalwart teammate immediately to his left.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - 5/10 - Given the slip a couple of times by Abraham and Nicolo Zaniolo.

Giorgio Chiellini (CB) - 7/10 - In the wars and up for the fight, as always. Caught high up the field in the lead up to Roma's penalty and was a little fortunate not to concede another.

Mattia De Sciglio (LB) - 7/10 - Super cross to set up the opener and was constantly a menace on the overlap. Yes, I'm talking about Mattia De Sciglio.

2. Midfielders

Juan Cuadrado (RM) - 5/10 - Roma targeted him in possession again and again. Sometimes he made some decent switches (like for the opener), sometimes they pulled his pants down (a more common occurrence).

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) - 7/10 - A couple of decent balls between the lines and one rather fortunate assist.

Manuel Locatelli (CM) - 6/10 - Calm on the ball, particularly under pressure, but couldn't quite pick the lock in the final third.

Federico Bernardeschi (LM) - 6/10 - Like Cuadrado also made a few Hollywood passes and had a couple of decent efforts in the second half.

3. Forwards

Federico Chiesa (SS) - 3/10 - Found it hard to even get in the game, let alone make an impact on it.

Moise Kean (CF) - 7/10 - Scored a goal and was Juve's main threat when they did get forward.

4. Substitutes

Dejan Kulusevski (SS) - 5/10

Alvaro Morata (CF) - 5/10

Arthur (CM) - 6/10

Alex Sandro (LB) - N/A

Roma player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Rui Patricio (GK) - 5/10 - A harsher man than I would say he could have done more for the goal, but was otherwise okay.

Rick Karsdorp (RB) - 5/10 - Mourinho was constantly in his ear barking instructions in the first half. Did a little better after the break for some reason.

Gianluca Mancini (CB) - 6/10 - Dominant in the air, which is probably why Juve aimed their crosses to the other side of Roma's defence.

Roger Ibanez (CB) - 5/10 - Beaten in the air for Kean's goal but he wasn't the main culprit...

Matias Vina (LB) - 4/10 - Vina allowed Bentancur to ghost in and Kean to get a run on Ibanez.

6. Midfielders

Bryan Cristante (CM) - 5/10 - Well, he kept the ball ticking and didn't miss a penalty.

Jordan Veretout (CM) - 4/10 - Kept the ball ticking and did miss a penalty.

Lorenzo Pellegrini (AM) - 5/10 - Had some joy between the lines, but not a lot.

7. Forwards

Nicolo Zaniolo (RW) - 5/10 - Brought off early in the game with a knee injury.

Tammy Abraham (CF) - 6/10 - Looked dangerous and on another day would have had a goal to his name.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (LW) - 5/10 - Drifted in and out of the game, but mostly out of it.

8. Substitutes

Stephan El Shaarawy (LW) - 5/10 - Similar to Mkhitaryan. Roma needed far more from their wide men in possession.

Eldor Shomurodov (CF) - N/A