Smalling leads Roma to defeat Cremona

Rome: Juventus kept a clean sheet at Sampdoria on Monday, but Chris Smalling’s header gave Roma a 1-0 victory over Cremonese, making them 2-2.

Massimiliano Allegri’s team was uninspired and failed to do much against a solid sump at Genoa’s Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

The closest they came to scoring a point was when French midfielder Adrien Rabiot’s low strike was correctly ruled out for offside.

Philippe Kostic also saved Emil Audero in stoppage time, but it was by a team that were looking to clinch the league title after falling far behind champions AC Milan last season.

Juventus are missing the injured Angel Di Maria and lacked the stardust the Argentinian winger brought to the side in last week’s season-opening win over Sassuolo.

Their only decent chance in the first half was created by an explosive run from Juan Cuadrado in the 15th minute, but they could only shoot straight through Emil Audero in Sump’s goal.

Blachovic was furious at the Colombian who barely touched the ball in the first 45 minutes and didn’t pass.

However, the Serb started the second period brighter, scoring a shot when he collided with the superior Omar Collie and demanding a penalty to no avail.

When Rabiot met the pass with a perfect low finish, he thought he had set Juve’s first goal, but after giving it to goal-referee Rosario Abisso, after a VAR check, he strayed into offside due to Vlahovic. goal was ruled out.

Substitute Fabio Quagliarella had a fairytale ending when Sump shot wide with a minute left, but Odello held off a worn volley from Kostic and both sides had to score points. I had to.

Smalling saves Rome

England defender Smalling sent a wave of relief to a packed Stadio Olimpico with a perfect header to Lorenzo Pellegrini’s corner kick in the 65th minute to secure a hard-fought victory.

The 32-year-old, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, dedicated the winner to Wijnaldum, who broke his shin in training on Sunday.

“I’m disappointed in him,” Smalling told DAZN.

Roma, who move to Juventus on Saturday, are up to six points in their first two games after an optimistic summer following last season’s European Conference League victory and an impressive transfer window that brought in Paulo Dybala. increase.

Already rocked by Wijnaldum’s injury, the positive feeling when starlet Niccolò Zaniolo had to leave the field just before half-time after suffering a left shoulder injury following a heavy tackle from Luka Rochoshvili. was further lost.

Fans were apprehensive after the 23-year-old left the Italian national team, who already suffered serious knee injuries in his short career, but later said on Instagram that he would be back “within three weeks”.

Without him, Roma would have one less threat against Massimiliano Albini’s stubborn Cremona.

Cyriel Dessers came close with two bicycle kicks and the Nigerian squad was particularly unlucky when a superb half-volley shot hit the crossbar.

Charles Pickell then nearly robbed Cremona of points in stoppage time when his rockets were fired a few millimeters wide.

However, Smalling’s header past Ionut Radu secured the three points, putting Inter Milan and Napoli in the lead.