The Warm-up: Turin test could reveal Roma's real strength

The penultimate match of 2017 - but one of the biggest matches of 2017. Roma travel to Juventus to face the reigning champions in a huge clash at the top of Serie A.

The Giallorossi traditionally have a poor record at the Allianz Stadium: can Eusebio Di Francesco's side buck the trend on Saturday night, and make a real statement about their championship credentials for the second half of the campaign?

The pre-match reading

• Eusebio Di Francesco's pre-match press conference in full
• F lorenzi wants Roma statement in Turin
• S quad list: Kolarov back in after rest
• V iew from the Opposition: The scouting report on Juve
• Allegri hails Roma strength, hints at Dybala omission
• Numbers Game: Stats to know ahead of Juve-Roma

The form guide

The Giallorossi go into this one on the back of a disappointing Coppa Italia defeat at the hands of Torino on Wednesday - a game in which Patrik Schick did at least get his first goal for the club.

In the league Eusebio Di Francesco's side are currently on a nine-match unbeaten run, albeit having drawn their last two away games, against Genoa (1-1) and Chievo (0-0).

The Giallorossi are currently fourth in Serie A, four points behind leaders Napoli with a game in hand on all their rivals.

Juventus, meanwhile, have not conceded a goal in their last four Serie A games - a defensive run that has helped push them to just a point behind Napoli.

A 2-0 midweek cup win over Genoa extended their own unbeaten run to seven games - despite playing the likes of Barcelona (0-0), Napoli (1-0) and Inter Milan (0-0) in that span.

Juventus's last defeat came at Sampdoria in mid-November - while they did suffer a rare home defeat back in October, as Lazio secured a 2-1 win at the Allianz Stadium.

Team news

Coach Eusebio Di Francesco has an almost full squad available to him, with Rick Karsdorp (knee) the only long-term absentee.

Forward Gregoire Defrel is also absent, despite training twice in the week, as the game was judged to be just too soon for him to be involved.

Juventus are definitely without both Gianluigi Buffon and Mattia De Sciglio, while coach Maximilliano Allegri revealed he would make late assessments of both Mario Mandzukic and Juan Cuadrado.

However, both are expected to be available for the Bianconeri.

The view from both sides

Eusebio Di Francesco: "“Juventus have won games 1-0 so many times. We need to improve our form in front of goal – that’s unavoidable. If you have loads of shots but don’t score often, this has to get better. But I want to be positive because we will improve. We must make sure our attributes come to the fore and attack better.

“As a player, when I chose to sign for Roma, I did so because of the people who were here. I actually had an option to go to Juventus but I chose Roma. Juventus are a great club, but for me it would be fantastic to win something big here at Roma.

"Juve should be an example of how to become a big club, but it’d be nice to do this here where there’s sun and amazing support.”

Max Allegri: “Roma have always been the main rival to Juve in the last few years, along with Napoli. They have world-class players, with great physical and technical ability, so given that they need to be considered alongside us as one of the favourites for the title. I think they are the best of the others.”

“When you have a great game like tomorrow’s, the match is always very even. We have great respect for Roma because of their technical, physical and tactical qualities. We are at the 17th game of the season and they have only conceded 10 goals. Away from home they have never been behind: these numbers are not an accident, and underline their quality."

Opposition danger man

MARIO MANDZUKIC

Mario Mandzukic might often be the least-heralded of Juventus's high-powered forward line, but that is not to say he is the least influential. Largely edged out onto the left flank since joining the Bianconeri, the Croatian's blend of physical, classic No. 9-type qualities operating from a wider role has consistently caused trouble to even the best defences.

With central defenders laser-focused on keeping Higuain and Dybala in check as much as possible, Mandzukic rarely has to do deal with intensive man-marking measures and, as a result, often has great freedom to cause havoc. Off the ball his pressing style can unsettle opposing players, while when Juve have possession he is both a back-post threat from deep crosses and a snaffler of chances inside the box.

But, if Roma can restrict the supply to him, they can perhaps look to exploit the fact he is not natural wide-man.

“Mandzukic with his physical prowess always has an impact," Di Francesco admitted. "He has this great ability to finish off crosses from the right with power and quality - but we can also attack him thanks to [our] qualities going forwards.”

Roma's one to watch

ALEKSANDAR KOLAROV

Rested in midweek in order to be in tip-top shape for this game, it's a measure of just how important (and heavily-utilised) Aleksandar Kolarov has become since joining the Giallorossi in the summer that he was given such treatment.

A safe pair of hands at left-back, the Serbian has also been one of the side's most consistent attacking outlets all season long.

His role on Saturday will be two-fold: he will be tasked with shutting down his opponent on the flank, and preventing the sort of balls into the box that Higuain and Mandzukic can feed on. Then, when Roma do have possession, his precision and vision with his left-foot will likely be heavily employed as the Giallorossi try to push the ball into dangerous positions.

Then there is his dead-ball expertise. With Roma the masters of the 1-0 win this season (five so far, at least two more than any other team) and Juventus renowned for their willingness to shut down big games like this and nick one goal to clinch the points, an attritional battle is almost guaranteed.

Kolarov's deadball majesty could yet prove Roma's most reliable attacking threat - a potentially decisive weapon for the visitors.

Possible line-ups

Di Francesco will likely make a number of changes from the side that suffered midweek Coppa Italia disappointment - although it remains to be seen if forward Patrik Schick continues his run of three successive starts for the Giallorossi.

Di Francesco has options in midfield - with Radja Nainggolan, Kevin Strootman and Lorenzo Pellegrini all available - while Kostas Manolas will likely be partnered by either Federico Fazio or Juan Jesus.

Allegri hinted at a number of different Juventus line-ups during his pre-match press conference, teasing the possibility that Paulo Dybala could be left out - or that he could be included with Juan Cuadrado playing an unfamiliar full-back role.

The fitness of Cuadrado and Mandzukic will be the key - but if ready it is likely both will play, perhaps with Andrea Barzagli replacing Stephan Lichtsteiner at right-back to offer a bit more security down that flank.