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Drama o'clock. Carlos Tevez is the only man inside the Juventus Stadium to retain any sort of composure, calmly drilling in the opener from the spot.

Pirlo's free-kick smashes into the Roma wall - hitting the outstretched hand of Maicon. Free-kick says the referee. Nope, penalty! Juve are delighted as the official changes his mind, Roma are furious. The Giallorossi players surround the official.

A hush falls around the Juventus Stadium. Andrea Pirlo stands over a 25-yard free-kick after he is dumped to the deck by Francesco Totti....

Here's our first clear opportunity of the match - and it won't surprise you to find out that it falls to Juve.

What might surprise you, however, is the sublime ball to pick out Claudio Marchisio's run comes from the feet of centre-back Leonardo Bonucci.

His pinpoint Pirloesque 50-yard pass falls beautifully into the path of Marchisio, who scuffs a difficult first-time volley wide.

While Andrea Pirlo is considered as the grandad of Juventus' title-winning side, the 34-year-old is a spring chicken compared to Roma talisman Francesco Totti.

The 38-year-old is still the main man for the Giallorossi, as shown by his sublime goal against Manchester City on Tuesday, and he almost creates an opportunity for team-mate Gervinho.

But Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon (who himself is 36) closes off that avenue.

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And here is that man Tevez again. The Argentine powers down the left and whizzes in a low cross which Roma keeper Lukasz Skorupski drops down to the deck to gather. Roma already looking for a breather.

That penalty claim has upped the tempo inside the Juventus Stadium. The home fans are roaring their side on as I Bianconeri pour forward, with the waspish Carlos Tevez buzzing around with intent.

Ooooh - our first bit of drama. Juve midfielder Claudio Marchisio goes tumbling under a Roma challenge in the six-yard box after he tries to prod Carlos Tevez's shot into the away net. The Italy international screams for a penalty and is joined in his pleas by about 41,000 home voices. The referee shakes his head in disgust.

These players are showing more nerves in the opening stages than I do when I'm stood on the first tee of my local golf club. Cagey.

Here's our first glimpse of Juve hero Andrea Pirlo. Roma look a bit hesitant, almost in awe, when the Azzurri veteran has possession of the ball. On this occasion, they need not worry. His pass is too strong for Tevez and Roma claim back the ball.

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Roma ride out that early storm and begin to find their rhythm. The Giallorossi force the first corner of the evening, but ex-Barca midfielder Seydou Keita heads over when unmarked.

Both sides have watched from afar as the other has steamrolled past their previous opponents, but this is the first time that they have sized each other up, close and personal.

Intense start from Juve as they hustle and harry the Romans straight from kick-off. Carlos Tevez creates a nuisance of himself down the left but can't pick out a team-mate with a loose cross.

The referee gives his whistle a short, sharp shrill for the first time. That means it is game on!

An unbelievable noise greets the two sets of players as they emerge from the Juventus Stadium tunnel. The home fans all hold up black and white placards to create a menacing monochrome cauldron for the away side. To paraphrase the Stone Roses...here's what the world is waiting for....

Today's showdown can be "a great advert for Italian football", reckons Roma boss Rudi Garcia.

"It's an important game for the whole of Italy because it will be watched the world over," says the Frenchman, who side earned a credible 1-1 draw at Manchester City in midweek.

"Italian teams have had good results in Europe lately, showing Serie A perhaps doesn't get the credit it deserves."

Is Garcia right? With the likes of Tevez, Pirlo, Totti and Pogba plying their trade in Serie A, is the Italian top-flight on the up? Not quite the halcyon days of Gullit, Van Basten and Rijkaard though is it. Tweet using #bbceurofooty or text 81111. Come on, let's be having you!

Expecting a Hollywood blockbuster of a match? You're not the only one.

'Juventus and Roma present Star Wars," screams the front page of Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. Complete with Juve striker Carlos Tevez and Roma talisman Francesco Totti mocked up as Jedis.

Will the force be with Juve or Roma? We're about to find out.

Juventus: Buffon, Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah, Tevez, Llorente.

Roma: Skorupski, Maicon, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Cholevas, Pjanic, Keita, Nainggolan, Iturbe, Totti, Gervinho.

Want big team news? Luckily we have got big team news.

Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo - the irrepressible, bearded genius who makes them tick - is thrown into Allegri's starting XI for his first start of the season after injury.

But there is no place in the Roma side for ex-England left-back Ashley Cole. We presume the 34-year-old, who is sat on the bench, is being given a breather.

But it turns out that Juventus's post-Conte demise has not materialised. Not in the first five weeks of the fledgling Serie A season anyway.

Played five, won five. Scored 10, conceded none. His replacement Massimiliano Allegri must wonder what all the fuss is about.

Now the ex-AC Milan gaffer faces his first proper test. Last season's runners-up Roma are heading into town. The Giallorossi also boast a perfect record of five wins but still - rather harshly - find themselves adrift of the Old Lady on goal difference.

It is top versus second. It is the champions versus the runners-up. Welcome to Italy's *Il Classico.

* Juventus v Roma may or may not be known as Il Classico....

Image source, Reuters

Then came the shock departure of the man who masterminded that trio of Scudetto successes. Coach Antonio Conte quit the day after Juventus's star-studded squad returned to pre-season training, and within a month had taken charge of the Italian national side.

Juventus without Conte left the Old Lady's supporters fearing the worst. Juventus without Conte represented hope for the rest of Serie A - especially Roma.