Enrique hails Roma effort

Roma boss Luis Enrique was enthused by his side’s display 1-1 draw with Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday.

The hosts opened the scoring after just six minutes through Daniele De Rossi only to see Giorgio Chiellini draw the Bianconeri level on 62 minutes, to ensure Juve went back to the top of the table, level on points with Udinese.

Seconds after Chiellini’s equaliser, however, Roma were awarded a penalty after Arturo Vidal had felled Erik Lamela in the area.

But Francesco Totti saw his subsequent effort from 12 yards out saved by Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

“The penalty miss was a pity, but Buffon is a great goalkeeper,” Enrique told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is right to emphasise this, just as we must acknowledge the proof that Juventus are very strong.”

“I’m happy with my boys; we played a good game. I’m glad I saw the crowd here ready to support us.”

“Today we made a great effort (so) let’s continue with this attitude.”

The Roma coach – who has come under intense pressure of late after disappointing defeats by Udinese and Fiorentina – singled out Miralem Pjanic for special praise for nullifying the threat posed by Juve’s principal playmaker Andrea Pirlo.

“To stop Pirlo was one of our first objectives; Pjanic did a good job, as did the rest of the midfield,” Enrique said.

The former Barcelona B team boss recalled Pablo Osvaldo for the game after the striker’s one-game ban for hitting Lamela during an altercation in the dressing room after the loss in Udine.

Osvaldo, though, was less than impressed with being withdrawn with four minutes to go, but Enrique played down the significance of the incident.

“Osvaldo’s reaction? It’s nothing. He was angry because he didn’t want to come off. That’s the right attitude,” the 41-year-old Spaniard said.

The point sees Roma climb to ninth in the standings, while Juventus edge above Udinese into top spot.