The Juventus at Roma contest was the marquee match-up of the Serie A weekend and it was expected to be decisive in determining Champions League qualifying positions.
If AS Roma were to win they could get narrow their gap with Juventus while if the visitors were to win they would automatically qualify for European competition.
Roma coach Daniele De Rossi decided to rest winger Stephan El Shaarawy, deploying attacking midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi in his stead. This then put the focus in attack on the pair formed by Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri deployed his best offensive pairing: Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic.
The first big opportunity was for the Bianconeri – a long-range shot by Chiesa that flew high.
In the 4th minute, Juventus man Timothy Weah was booked for a rough tackle against goalkeeper Mile Svilar, demonstrating the tenacious pressing implemented by the visiting team at the start of the match.
Shortly afterwards, Serbian striker Vlahovic was well served by Chiesa, but the former's close-range shot went just wide.
After that, AS Roma repeatedly made themselves dangerous.
The first great opportunity was brought about by a cross from Angelino to Rasmus Kristensen who, free from marking, hit the crossbar.
In the 15th minute the Giallorossi took the lead with a close range touch from the Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku who found the ball in a favorable position after a short clearance from defender Federico Gatti who involuntarily provided the assist.
The home team came close to doubling its lead when a shot from captain Lorenzo Pellegrini was deflected for a corner.
In the 31st minute Juventus found the equalizer with a goal from Brazilian defender Bremer who, following a Chiesa cross, crossed higher than anyone and was thus able to overcome the opposing goalkeeper who could do nothing.
Roma tried to regain the lead heading into halftime with Dybala coming close with a pair of free kicks from the edge of the penalty area.
Juventus immediately went for goal with Chiesa leading the way. He was the author of a superlative individual play, dribbling past two opponents before finishing with his left foot only to watch the post stop him.
Juventus attempted an offensive action again with Weston McKennie whose shot was blocked by goalkeeper Svilar. Then it was the Giallorossi's turn.
Tommaso Baldanzi shook off his marker and served a really interesting ball to Pellegrini who, from a central and favorable position, was denied by a crowd of defenders.
The last minutes of the match were better for the visitors who came close on two occasions.
First came a central incursion by midfielder Manuel Locatelli whose shot was knocked away by goalkeeper Svilar. Then came a header by Moise Kean off a corner kick. But, Svilar proved to be alert and deflected the shot wide.
Despite the Bianconeri's greater offensive presence, the last great chance of the match was created by the home team.
Roma sub Tammy Abraham received the ball in the penalty area and was able to turn and finish with power towards the goal, but Wojciech Szczesny was up to the task to preserve the 1-1 result.
The draw elated the Bianconeri as they kept their gap unchanged (2 points over Bologna, 6 points over Roma and Atalanta), while the Giallorossi were caught by Atalanta, 2-1 winners over Salernitana, for fifth place in the league. Roma pays a visit to Atlanta next weekend in a game that could determined the fate of Serie A's Champions League spots for next season.