Juventus falls flat as Smalling lifts Roma

ROME－Juventus was held to a drab goalless draw by Sampdoria on Monday, while Chris Smalling headed Roma to a 1-0 win over Cremonese to make it two wins from two.

Massimiliano Allegri's side was uninspired and failed to create much against a solid Samp at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa.

The closest Juve came to taking the points was when Adrien Rabiot's low strike was correctly ruled out for offside. The France midfielder was a starter after a proposed move to Manchester United collapsed.

Filip Kostic also forced a save from Emil Audero in stoppage time but that was about it from a team aiming to make a Serie A title charge after finishing way behind champion AC Milan last term.

"The positive thing is that we haven't conceded in two games," Allegri told DAZN.

"In the second half we did some good things, we scored a goal and created a great chance at the end... but we've left two points behind here."

Juve was missing the injured Angel Di Maria and it lacked the stardust which the Argentina winger brought to the team in its season-opening win over Sassuolo.

Juve's sole decent opportunity in the first half was created by a bursting run in the 15th minute from Juan Cuadrado. However, after robbing Tommaso Augello, Cuadrado could only shoot straight at Emil Audero in the Samp goal with Dusan Vlahovic to his right.

Vlahovic barely had a touch in the first 45 minutes beyond kicking the ball onto his own post at a corner and was livid with the Colombian for not passing.

The Serb started the second period brighter however, flashing a shot wide and claiming in vain for a penalty when clashing with the excellent Omar Colley.

He thought he had set up Juve's opener when Rabiot met his pass with a perfect low finish, but after awarding the goal referee Rosario Abisso then ruled it out for Vlahovic straying offside following after a VAR check.

Former Manchester United defender Smalling met Lorenzo Pellegrini's corner in the 65th minute with a perfect header to send a wave of relief around a packed Stadio Olimpico and secure the win.

The 32-year-old dedicated his winner to Gini Wijnaldum, who signed from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month but fractured his shin in training on Sunday.

"We're gutted for him and we hope he's back as soon as possible because he's such a quality addition for us," Smalling told DAZN.

Roma, who travels to Juve on Saturday, has a maximum six points from its first two games after a summer full of optimism following its Europa Conference League triumph last season and an impressive transfer window which also brought in Paulo Dybala.

AFP