Juventus (1st) beats Roma (5th) 2-1
Juventus (1st) defeated Roma (5th) 2-1 on Sunday in the 19th round. This result allows them to regain the lead and secure the honorary title of winter champion, taking advantage of Inter's (2nd) 1-1 draw with Atalanta (4th) on Saturday.
Now, the defending champion and winner of the last eight Scudettos has a two-point advantage over Inter, while Lazio, immersed in a spectacular streak of ten consecutive victories, is third, six points behind the 'Vecchia Signora'.
In the Olympic Stadium, Juventus scored two goals in the first ten minutes. Turkish defender Merih Demiral scored in the 3rd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 10th minute.
In the second half, Argentine Diego Perotti (68) reduced the difference.
Despite the result, the ambitious project led by Maurizio Sarri showed in Rome that it has room for improvement if it wants to reclaim Italy and finally make a definitive impact in the Champions League.
Juventus' goals came from clear mistakes by the Giallorossi. In the first goal, Gianluca Mancini committed an unnecessary foul on Ronaldo.
The free-kick, impeccably taken by Argentine Paulo Dybala, was taken advantage of by Demiral at the far post, leaving Dutchman Matthijs De Ligt and his 75 million euro transfer on the bench.