Five Things We Learned: Giallorossi show resolve to execute winning strategy

Stirring comeback win at the Olimpico

Despite going a goal down against this formidable Juventus side, Roma produced a thrilling comeback to run out eventual 3-1 winners. The triumph was made all the more impressive due to the absences of Edin Dzeko and Kevin Strootman - plus the fact Radja Nainggolan and Diego Perotti weren't fully fit.

Showing plenty of fighting spirit and mental strength, the win was unquestionably the perfect way to propel the Giallorossi back above Napoli into second, who'd beaten Torino 5-0 earlier in the day.

“When you have to win games and you’ve got a rival like Napoli close behind, it becomes tough to overcome certain challenges," coach Luciano Spalletti said afterwards. "We performed well this evening, with a few absentees.

"Tonight we played with real grit, having to make changes at times, and knowing that we’d have to suffer. We were intelligent and had our heads in the game, to fulfil the only objective we cared about: winning this game.”

Perotti plays through pain to provide key link

With Dzeko missing through injury, Perotti was asked to fill in for the big Bosnian. And although it wasn't his finest performance, he still produced an admirable display, in a match where he played a key role in Roma's attacking dynamics.

Acting as a vital reference point, the Argentine's probing movement that targeted the left flank and left of centre areas enabled Roma to generate overloads down this side. This had many positives attached it, for Emerson Palmieri, Stephan El Shaarawy, Perotti and Nainggolan could create triangles and diamonds to bypass Juventus in this area by creating a free man with their numerical superiority.

Meanwhile, by focusing their attention on the left, which saw Juventus' defensive lines shift over accordingly, this successfully isolated Mohamed Salah on the right against his direct opponent, converted full-back Kwadwo Asamoah, where he could use his pace and skill in one-on-one situations.

Marking scheme implemented effectively

Spalletti did a fine job of making life difficult for the Bianconeri to pass out smoothly from the back, with his defensive strategy working rather well indeed. Perotti would often mark the right centre-back and Nainggolan the left centre half, with the latter making sure to block the passing lane to Miralem Pjanic behind him.

Then, the wingers, Salah and El Shaarawy, would mark their opposing full-back, making sure to press them diagonally to use their cover shadow to block off any passing routes into the middle. Lastly, Nainggolan would tightly mark Pjanic if the Belgian wasn't fulfilling his initial duty - while Leandro Paredes and Daniele De Rossi would track Stefano Sturaro and Mario Lemina.

All in all, Spalletti would've been pleased with the overall execution of his strategy, especially in the first half, as his men were able to cause many turnovers and force many rushed long clearances from the Old Lady.

"In the dressing room, we only spoke about tonight’s game," Spalletti noted, "[on] how to disrupt their passing lanes, how to defend on the front foot."

De Rossi and Paredes display their qualities

Roma's two central midfielders, Daniele De Rossi and Leandro Paredes, undoubtedly had a profound impact on the contest, with both men doing a fine job in both phases of the game. Using their intensity and physicality, they stuck to their aforementioned defensive duties with diligence and commitment, combining to chip in with 18 successful defensive actions.

Moreover, on the attacking end, they dictated and superbly constructed their side's offensive moves through their exceptional passing abilities. Roma's first goal, which arose following a wicked corner from Paredes that was eventually finished off by De Rossi, served as a fine illustration and reward for their excellence on the night.

Salah keeps defenders on edge with counter threat

Salah's ongoing battle with Asamoah was a captivating subplot throughout the fixture. It must be said that the Egyptian dynamo took the honours in their duel, courtesy of his explosive set of attributes and clever positioning that left his opponents often uncertain how to handle him.

Whenever Juventus were in possession, Salah never tracked back too far, thus allowing him to be an ideal outlet when the home side won back the ball.

By situating himself in this high and wide location, Salah could use his pace to latch onto balls in behind the opposing backline or receive a pass to feet in a favourable one-on-one confrontation against Asamoah. This complemented the overload to isolate principle mentioned earlier in Roma's slower possession phases.

To round out his quality body of work he supplied the, his 11th in Serie A, for Nainggolan's clincher. That pass elevates him into equal first, alongside Jose Callejon, for most assists in the campaign.