Juventus 2-0 Roma: 5 talking points as Bianconeri climb up to third in Serie A

#3 Defensive solidity becoming a hallmark of Juventus once again

Juventus have become defensively solid again

Most of Juventus's success of the last decade was founded upon an almost impenetrable backline.

But this season saw a deviation from the norm, with opposition attacks breaching the Bianconeri rearguard almost at will.

However, the return to full fitness of club captain Giorgio Chiellini has coincided with a marked improvement in the team's defensive solidity.

This shutout against Roma means that Juventus have kept three consecutive Serie A clean sheets for the first time under the management of Andrea Pirlo.

Furthermore, it is their fifth clean sheet in their last six games in all competitions.

🥁 We keep marching on! 💪💪💪#JuveRoma #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 6, 2021

It is a well-worn maxim that a good attack win games, but a good defense wins titles.

With Juventus back at their defensive best, fans of the club would fancy their chances of achieving their season objectives.

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#2 Edin Dzeko returns to the fold for Roma

Edin Dzeko came off the bench against Juventus

The last days of the winter transfer window was rife with rumors that Roma and Inter Milan were interested in making a swap deal for Alexis Sanchez and Edin Dzeko.

This might have come as a surprise to many, considering the Bosnian's role as captain and chief goal threat of the Stadio Olimpico outfit.

However, the root cause of the problem could be traced to when he had a fallout with manager Paulo Fonseca in the aftermath of the Coppa clash with Spezia.

An administrative error had seen Roma make six substitutes in the game, leading to a 3-0 forfeiture of the clash.

➡️♻️⬅️ And there is a change up front too, as Edin Dzeko replaces Borja Mayoral. #ASRoma #JuveRoma pic.twitter.com/U8OzecaqEo

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) February 6, 2021

This was the second time such error was happening this season, and Fonseca demanded the sack of first team manager Gianluca Gombar.

Dzeko reportedly clashed with his coach after the decision was made, leading to his exclusion from the team, as well as proposed transfer.

However, the failure of the deal to materialize means that he must now spend the rest of the season at Roma.

The 34-year-old has been stripped off the captaincy, but was summoned off the bench against Juventus after being left out of two matchday squads.

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#1 Incredible Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy expectation

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring

Having put Inter Milan to the sword with a brace in midweek, Cristiano Ronaldo continued from where he left off with another well-taken goal in Serie A.

His first-half goal put Juventus in the driving sit and send them on their way to securing all three points. This was his 23rd goal of the season from just 24 games in all competitions.

Sixteen of those have come in Serie A, making him the clear favorite for a maiden Capocannoniere crown.

It came a day after he celebrated his 36th birthday, which underlies the Madeira native's amazing longevity.

👉 This way to all three #JuveRoma points! 💪#FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/YYTP5STpyb

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 6, 2021

Incredibly, this goal was Ronaldo's 300th career goal since he turned 30. Which is scarcely believable, considering that several top-class strikers would be happy to score 300 goals in the entirety of their career.

The only blemish on his game was the yellow card he received in the 62nd minute for dissent.

Nevertheless, it was another season-defining performance from Cristiano Ronaldo, who proved to be the difference-maker for Juventus yet again.