Bonucci aglow after Juventus beat Roma

"We showed we are still the best in Italy," said Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci with satisfaction after his wonderful volley secured a 3-2 win against AS Roma, leaving the Italian champions with a 100% record after six Serie A games.

With both UEFA Champions League contenders going into the game in Turin on 15 points – and the Bianconeri yet to concede – something had to give. However, it was anything but a cagey encounter; there were four goals in the first 45 minutes, Carlos Tévez scoring two penalties either side of a Francesco Totti spot kick and Juan Manuel Iturbe's goal for Roma. The Giallorossi passed up good chances to win it after the break, Bonucci's effort settling the tie four minutes from time.

"It was one of the best and most important goals in my career because it got us three very valuable points," said Bonucci. "We defeated a great Roma side and showed that we are still the best in Italy."

Roma right-back Maicon concurred. "Juve are the same team as last season with some new players so they are still a step ahead," the Brazilian admitted. "However, we are working hard and improving. We just have to continue along this path because we're not far off."

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon felt there was barely anything to separate the sides in terms of class. "There is not much difference right now," the 36-year-old goalkeeper said. "It was a spectacular game with both sides playing hard to win. Roma are much stronger than last season. They are more aware of their strength – they play with more confidence."

That compliment was scant consolation for Totti, who had become the oldest goalscorer in UEFA Champions League history – aged 38 – on Tuesday. "It's a real disappointment after a good performance," said the Roma captain. "We are angry, obviously, but we know we are a great team. We must get our heads up straight away."

Roma's pace and technique have long been lauded, but one consolation for Rudi Garcia after the game was the way his side matched Juventus in terms of strength. "This was a physical match and we were ready for that," the French coach said. "In the first half, we lost the ball easily too many times but I still think we did enough to win."

"There were some hard challenges during the game, but are part of the sport – if people don't like that aspect of the game, they should go to the theatre," noted Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. "We are a great team, but Roma are doing as well. The game was very even, we deserved to win, but honestly, it could have ended in any result."