By Chris Wright
The meeting between Juventus and Roma on Sunday was always likely to be a tempestuous old ding-ding, with the league’s top two sides both coming into the game unbeaten.
It was Juve who eventually won out, with centre-back Leonardo Bonucci scoring a nicely-taken volley five minutes from time to nab the Bianconeri a 3-2 victory, with Roma leaving Turin feeling awfully hard done by.
Indeed, Roma even saw coach Rudi Garcia sent to the stands when he mimed playing a small violin after Juve were awarded their first contentious penalty (a second followed shortly thereafter) of the game – the intimation being that the referee was “dancing to Juve’s tune” again…
Echoing his coach’s sentiments after the final whistle, Francesco Totti also went on the offensive vis-a-vis Juve’s perceived sway over officials in Italy, complaining that the Old Lady always win “by hook or by crook”.
A steaming Totti told Sky Sports Italia:
“It’s a huge shame after a good performance. We came to Turin to play our game, but you saw what happened and that affected the match.
“For years the same old incidents keep happening. I don’t know if we were beaten by referees, but we certainly were not beaten by Juventus tonight.
“Yes, we are angry, but also aware we are a great team and must lift our heads straight away.
“This was a match we really cared about, but Juventus ought to have their own League, as by hook or by crook they always win.
“Are we back to the same doubts? I am not the only one saying this, as these are things everyone in Italy should discuss.
“With Juventus when there is any doubt whatsoever, it’s always a penalty. I have to stop now, as if I keep talking then I’ll get suspended.”
Might be a bit late for that, old bean.
We imagine a strongly-worded letter from the FIGC is winging its way to Casa di Totti as we speak.