22 August 2021
The Bianconeri started the 2021/22 Serie A campaign with a draw after letting a 2-0 lead slip in the second half away in Udine. Juventus made a fantastic start, as Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado both found the net to give the team a healthy lead after just 23 minutes but, as the past has shown, things are never so easy here in Friuli. After the half-time interval, Roberto Pereyra scored from the penalty spot and Gerard Deulofeu struck in the final stages of the game to draw the home side level. Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had grabbed all three points for Juve after heading home deep in stoppage time, but the goal was chalked off for offside. After a promising start, Massimiliano Allegri’s side return to Turin with a single point.
DYBALA AND CUADRADO GET THE BALL ROLLING
After little more than two minutes into Juventus’ opening game of the Serie A season, Cuadrado found Rodrigo Bentancur in the box, and he laid on an assist for Dybala to send a left-footed volley past Marco Silvestri. Udinese however took the early blow in their stride and threatened Wojciech Szczesny’s goal through Pussetto's right-footed shot, which was blocked by the Juve keeper. Nonetheless the home side’s forays forward left them exposed at the back and Juventus pounced to great effect. With just over 20 minutes played, Dybala unleashed a 40-yard pass to Cuadrado, who controlled the ball, outwitted Bram Nuytinck and fired into the far corner to double our lead and send the Bianconeri into the break with a two-goal advantage.
PEREYRA HALVES THE DEFICIT FROM THE SPOT
The game was by no means over, however, as Szczesny gave away a penalty a few minutes into the second half by fouling Tolgay Arslan. After Pereyra slotted home from the penalty spot, Juve reacted with fervour and Alvaro Morata's headed against the post from Alex Sandro's cross. Allegri made a triple substitution and switched to a three-man defence, sending on Giorgio Chiellini, Dejan Kulusevski and Ronaldo for Aaron Ramsey, Federico Bernardeschi and Morata. Ronaldo threatened straight away with a header, narrowly missing the target after Dybala's free kick. He then served up Bentancur on the edge of the box, only to see the Uruguayan hit the post to Silvestri's left.
DEULOFEU EQUALISES
Around 30 minutes into the second period it was time for Federico Chiesa to replace Cuadrado, but Udinese continued to probe at the other end. With just over five minutes to go they found the equaliser, when Szczesny loitered on the ball close to his goal and lost it to Stefano Okaka. The ball ended up at the feet of Deulofeu, who had the simple task of slotting into the unguarded goal.
VAR DENIES RONALDO
In the final stages, Allegri sent on Manuel Locatelli to replace Bentancur. Udinese almost found a late winning goal through Mato Jajalo, who fired Okaka’s ball over the bar. At the other end Dybala produced splendid chest control before firing on goal, only to see Silvestri parry the ball out for a corner. Juventus continued to push for a winner and thought they found one when Ronaldo rose to send a bullet header into the net from Chiesa’s cross. However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check and both sides settled for a point.
UDINESE 2-2 JUVENTUS (HT: 0-2)
Scorers: Dybala 3, Cuadrado 23, Pereyra 51 (pen), Deulofeu 83.
UDINESE
Silvestri; Becao, Nuytinck, Samir (Zeegelaar 90+4); Molina, Pereyra, Walace, Makengo (Stryger Larsen 57), Udogie (Deulofeu 57); Arslan (Jajalo 81), Pussetto (Okaka 81).
Subs not used: Padelli, Scuffet, De Maio, Palumbo, Samardzic, Cristo Gonzalez, Ianesi.
Coach: Gotti
JUVENTUS
Szczesny; Danilo, De Ligt, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado (Chiesa 74), Bentancur (Locatelli 90), Ramsey (Chiellini 60), Bernardeschi (Kulusevski 60); Morata (Ronaldo 60), Dybala.
Subs not used: Perin, Pinsoglio, De Sciglio, Pellegrini, Rugani, Ranocchia, Kaio Jorge.
Coach: Allegri
REFEREE: Pezzuto
ASSISTANTS: Paganessi, Longo
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Prontera
VAR: Mariani, Carbone
BOOKED: Szczesny 50, Walace 77, Kulusevski 89, Ronaldo 90+5.
