21 March 2021
Benevento claimed a 1-0 victory over Juventus at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon courtesy of Adolfo Gaich’s goal.
GOALLESS FIRST HALF
The first chance of the game fell to Cristiano Ronaldo - who just before kick-off received a jersey from President Andrea Agnelli with the word GOAT and 770 on it to mark his incredible milestone - when he saw his effort drill past the back post. Lapadula took aim from range but his effort was high off the target, while his teammate Tuia nodded a free-kick just wide of Tek’s goal. Morata had a half chance fall to him that was saved by Montipò, before a double chance came in the way of Juve: de Ligt saw his header palmed away by Montipò, before then seeing Morata blast the rebound over as the half ended goalless.
BENEVENTO POUNCE THROUGH GAICH
Chiesa went searching for an early goal in the second half to open the scoring, but after defeating his markers his shot blazed over the woodwork. Benevento risked an own goal in the 68th minute when Barba tried to clear away an effort, but it sailed towards goal, forcing Montipò to fingertip it over the bar. But it was the visitors who took the lead a minute later: Arthur’s back pass across the face of goal wasn’t precise and it was pounced on by Gaich, who fired it into the back of the net.
JUVE GO IN SEARCH OF EQUALISER
Ronaldo came agonisingly close to grabbing an equaliser in the 80th minute when his angled shot from close range was fingertipped over the bar by the keeper. He then attempted a second effort with an acrobatic overhead kick, which whisked past the post. The Bianconeri went in desperate search of a late goal to secure at least a point, and they nearly drew level when Ronaldo was once again denied by Montipò, before Danilo blazed over the rebound from a yard out as Benevento claimed the victory.
Juventus XI: Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, de Ligt, Bernardeschi; Chiesa, Rabiot (McKennie 72’), Arthur (Bentancur 72’), Kulusevski; Morata, Ronaldo
Subs: Buffon, Pinsoglio, Chiellini, Dragusin, Di Pardo, Frabotta, McKennie, Bentancur, Fagioli
Benevento XI: Montipò; Caldirola, Tuia, Barba; Improta, Hetemaj, Viola, Ionita, Foulon; Gaich, Lapadula
