Juve held by late Lecce equaliser

Juve return from Lecce with a point: a disappointing result considering the the Bianconeri conceded the equaliser in added time at the end of the second half, but perhaps, in the context of the match, it was a fair result.

JUVE HIT THE POST TWICE IN THE FIRST HALF

The Bianconeri started strongly, creating the first big chance in the 5th minute. Kenan Yildiz broke through down the right before beating Frederic Guilbert and delivering a perfect ball into the middle for Khephren Thuram. However, the midfielder unbelievably hit the post with the goal gaping in front of him, squandering a great chance.

In the 15th minute, it was Juventus again who came close to taking the lead. Francisco Conceicao took advantage of a mistake made by the Lecce defence and let off a strike on goal: his shot hit the post with Wladimiro Falcone rooted to the spot. Juve also came close to taking the lead in the 24^th minute, when Timothy Weah found the back of the net after a rebound off the goalkeeper, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.

In the 32nd minute, Andrea Cambiaso made a fantastic pass to put Yildiz in behind, but the Turkish forward was denied by Falcone's timely intervention. Thiago Motta's team, despite posing an attacking threat, left themselves somewhat exposed defensively. In the 39th minute, Cambiaso lost out, handing Nikola Krstovic a dangerous chance, but Mattia Perin was quickly on hand to avert the danger.

The first half came to an end with Juventus leading the way in terms of possession and a number of chances created, but the scoreline remained 0-0.

AGONY IN THE SECOND HALF

The second half started with Lecce attacking: in the 49th minute Krstovic attempted to divert home a corner, but Perin was alert and repelled the effort. Shortly afterwards, another Lecce chance fell to Tete Morente, but the Juventus keeper was able to deal with it comfortably.

Lecce were on top during this period of the match, but the Bianconeri held their own: on the 51^st minute, Cambiaso found Conceicao, who in turn set up Teun Koopmeiners for a shot that was blocked behind for a corner. Just as Juve were coming increasing pressure, they were able to go down the other end and take the advantage on the on 68^th minute. Cambiaso picked up a ball on the left and struck an effort on goal, his shot took a significant deflection off Kialonda Gaspar which wrong-footed Falcone as the ball went into the back of the net. Juve controlled their lead and even came close to doubling their advantage in the 69^th minute, when Koopmeiners hit a venomous shot from outside the box, which was confidently dealt with by the Lecce keeper.

In the final stages, however, Lecce piled on the pressure. Perin made an excellent save in the 91^st minute to deny Ante Rebic’s header, but a few seconds later he could do nothing about the same striker’s effort, as he pounced on Cambiaso’s heavy touch to fire home.

It was the last meaningful action of the match as the full-time whistle called the game to an end and Juve head back to Turin following a draw that will leave a bitter taste in their mouths.

LECCE 1-1 JUVENTUS

Stadio Via del Mare, Sunday 1 December, 2024 at 20:45 (CEST)
Serie A – Matchday Fourteen

Goals: 68’ Cambiaso (J), 90+3’ Rebic (L)

Lecce: Falcone, Guilbert, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo (84’ Pierotti), Coulibaly, Ramadani (75’ Kaba), Dorgu, Rafia (81’ Oudin), Morente (75’ Rebic), Krstovic.
Unused Substitutes: Fruchtl, Pelmard, Berisha, Sansone, Helgason, Jean, McJannet, Samooja, Marchwinski, Hasa, Borbei.
Coach: Marco Giampaolo.

Juventus: Perin, Danilo, Gatti (63’ Rouhi), Kalulu, Cambiaso, Locatelli, Thuram (63’ Fagioli), Conceicao (84’ Pugno), Koopmeiners, Yildiz (75’ Mbangula), Weah.
Unused Substitutes: Pinsoglio, Di Gregorio, Montero, Owusu, Papadopoulos, Pagnucco.
Coach: Thiago Motta.

Referee: Antonio Rapuano
Assistants: Filippo Meli, Stefano Alassio
Fourth Official: Daniele Perenzoni

Bookings: 19’ Coulibaly (L), 39’ Cambiaso (J), 67’ Danilo (J), 73’ Fagioli (J), 82’ Koopmeiners (J)

Next Match:

Juventus-Bologna
Serie A – Matchday Fifteen
Saturday, 7 December, 2024 at 18:00 (CEST)
Allianz Stadium