Fierce Totti strike puts brakes on Juventus
Saturday, February 16, 2013
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A second-half thunderbolt from captain Francesco Totti earned AS Roma a narrow victory against Juventus, whose lead atop Serie A could be reduced to two points on Sunday.
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Francesco Totti's powerful second-half strike earned Aurelio Andreazzoli his first win as AS Roma coach, the Giallorossi beating Juventus 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Restored to the Roma goal, Maarten Stekelenburg was making only his second Serie A appearance since October, but the Dutch No1 kept the hosts in the game. At full stretch down to his left, Stekelenburg palmed away a goalbound Andrea Pirlo free-kick and then denied Paul Pogba and Alessandro Matri either side of half-time.
Totti took full advantage, crashing in a rising drive from the edge of the 'D' after Miralem Pjanić's set piece had only been partially cleared. It was the Roma captain's 224th league goal, taking him to within one of second-placed Gunnar Nordahl in the all-time Serie A charts.
Both sides had chances in an end-to-end second period, but the capital club held on for the win, meaning Juventus' lead can be cut to two points if SSC Napoli defeat UC Sampdoria on Sunday.
In Saturday's early game, AC Chievo Verona drew 1-1 with US Città di Palermo thanks to Cyril Théréau, whose penalty cancelled out Mauro Formica's maiden Serie A strike.