Juventus vs. Roma: 5 key players to watch on Matchday 21

There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about Juventus, and this positive energy is needed. The Bianconeri are headed for a tough stretch of games coming up, including next week’s second leg against Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia.

But the main focus right now is on the weekend fixture vs. Roma. Juventus drew 2-2 in the away fixture, needing Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace to save the day in a game they could have easily lost. Roma are actually one point ahead of Juve in the Serie A table, though the Bianconeri hold a game in hand.

Here are five key players to watch on both sides this weekend.

Juventus FW Cristiano Ronaldo

We begin with the superstar himself. Cristiano Ronaldo won’t celebrate his 36th victory for long, as he is all business in the big games. Ronaldo scored a first-half brace in the 2-1 win over Inter earlier this week, and he’ll want to keep the goals coming in order to build a cushion for himself in the Capocannoniere race. I’m sure he’s still ruing falling behind Lazio veteran Ciro Immobile in the 2019-2020 season.

Roma AM Henrik Mkhitaryan

As for Roma, their star player in 2020-2021 has absolutely been Henrik Mkhitaryan. It is not a stretch to say that the Armenian attacking midfielder has been one of Serie A’s absolute best players this year, and it has been a joy to watch him play more like the midfield maestro we saw years ago under Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund.

Mkhitaryan has nine goals and eight assists in the league this season, making him an all-around threat. Juventus must be at their best defensively, otherwise this wonderful player will tear them apart. He has four goal contributions in his last four Serie A matches.

Juventus FW Alvaro Morata

Another forward to watch on Serie A’s Matchday 21, Alvaro Morata will most likely draw the start with Paulo Dybala still likely another game away from returning. The Spanish international has been an all-star for the Bianconeri since joining on loan from Atletico Madrid for a second stint in Turin. He has four goals and six assists in Serie A this season, making him the club’s leader in assists in the league.

His link-up play has been vital to Juve’s success, and if the Bianconeri are to win on Matchday 21 at the Allianz Stadium, then they will need another strong performance from their 28-year-old striker.

Roma ST Borja Mayoral

Edin Dzeko is Roma’s most famous striker and a known commodity to Juventus, who were frequently linked to the player in the transfer market. But right now, it is Real Madrid loanee Borja Mayoral who has the hot hand.

Mayoral scored a brace in Roma’s last Serie A triumph over Verona. The Spanish international has found the back of the net five times in his last three league starts, scoring in each match with another brace against Crotone at the start of January. If he starts on Matchday 21, Juve’s back four will have their hands full.

Juventus CB Leonardo Bonucci

Juventus’ young center back duo of Merih Demiral and Matthijs de Ligt had a standout performance in a tough win over Inter at mid-week in the Coppa Italia, so the onus is now on the experienced Leonardo Bonucci to prove he belongs in the lineup.

Bonucci’s mistakes have cost Juve points this season, and he wasn’t exactly convincing in the Bianconeri’s first fixture of the season at Roma. In fact, per WhoScored.com, Bonucci did not have a single tackle or interception in 90 minutes in that match. He must be much better on Saturday evening, otherwise Juventus could be headed for a rough time.