Ronaldo’s header salvages draw for Juventus at Roma

TIL Desk Sports/ Even on a night when Juventus was outplayed for long stretches, the nine-time defending Serie A champion managed to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw at Roma. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, including a second-half equalizer with a towering header after Juventus had been reduced to 10 men, while Jordan Veretout had a brace for Roma.

We got back into it, even after the red card, Ronaldo said. By the end of the season this could prove to be an important point.” Veretout put Roma ahead in the 31st with a penalty following a handball from Adrien Rabiot, who was trying to block a shot from Veretout. Ronaldo then equalized from the spot after Lorenzo Pellegrini used his arm to block the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Veretout scored his second in first-half added time as Roma tore past Juventus’ veteran but aging center backs Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. Henrikh Mkhitaryan escaped down the left flank and crossed for Veretout, who used one touch to get away from a defender before shooting past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.