Category: Juventus

A disjointed Juventus slipped to a sixth away game without a win, as they somehow scrambled to a 2-2 Serie A draw from 2-0 down against Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari.

The hosts dominated from the off, and missed a sizeable collection of opportunities before finally taking the lead from the penalty spot, as Gianluca Gaetano converted after Bremer was penalised for a handball.

Six minutes later, Yerry Mina doubled the lead with another spot-kick, this time awarded somewhat less controversially for a foul by Wojciech Szczesny on Zito Luvumbo.

Dusan Vlahovic earned the Old Lady a way back into the game when his whipped free-kick bent around the wall and into the back of the net shortly after the hour mark.

That gave them the momentum, but they still struggled to create any meaningful chances, until Kenan Yildiz bent a dangerous cross into the box, and it was inadvertently turned into his own net by Alberto Dossena.

It could have been three points for Cagliari, but this draw still continues a remarkable run for Cagliari, who now lost just one of their last nine games, winning three times, to move five points clear of the relegation zone.

As such, they have moved up to 14th in the table, and with just five matches remaining, confidence is growing that they will beat the drop.

They are not mathematically safe yet, but the Islanders have certainly put the pressure on their rivals by earning a Friday night draw, and look destined to remain in Serie A for next season, which would be a terrific achievement having been promoted last summer.

Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari). His finishing left a little to be desired at times, but Luvumbo’s tireless running caused Juventus no end of problems, particularly in the first half.

It was his burst in behind that led to the second penalty being awarded Cagliari’s way, as the Angola international was ultimately brought down by the goalkeeper after Federico Gatti could not keep pace with him.

There were occasions when the 22-year-old could have been a little more clinical with his finishing, particularly with an air kick at 2-0 in the second half, but he created plenty of chances and played a big part in the troubles his side created going forwards.

CAGLIARI: Scuffet 7; Mina 7, Dossena 7, Hatzidiakos 7; Nandez 7, Makoumbou 6, Sulemana 6, Augello 6; Zito 8, Shomurodov 8, Gaetana 7. Subs: Prati 6, Deiola 6, Viola 6, Zappa 6, Wieteska n/a

JUVENTUS: Szczesny 7; Gatti 6, Bremer 5, Danilo 5; Weah 6, Alcaraz 6, Locatelli 6, Rabiot 6, Cambiaso 6; Chiesa 6, Vlahovic 7. Subs: Yildiz 6, McKennie 6, Milik. Iling-Jr n.a

30’ GOAL! CAGLIARI 1-0 JUVENTUS (Gianluca Gaetano). VAR ask the referee to take a look at a potential handball from Bremer, when his arm connected with a Dossena header. The official takes one look and points to the spot. Gaetano sends Szczesny the wrong way as he dispatches the penalty into the bottom left corner! They hit the front, and deservedly so!

36’ GOAL! CAGLIARI 2-0 JUVENTUS (Yerry Mina). Wow! Another Cagliari penalty after a foul by Szczesny on Luvumbo! This time it’s Yerry Mina on spot-kick duties, and he sends the goalkeeper the wrong way too, also picking out that bottom left corner.

61’ GOAL! CAGLIARI 2-1 JUVENTUS (Dusan Vlahovic). Oh what a glorious strike that is! Vlahovic whips a superb free-kick around the wall and in at the near post. The goalkeeper is rooted to his spot! Juve are back in it, although whether or not the foul should have been given against Nandez is very debatable.

87’ GOAL! CAGLIARI 2-2 JUVENTUS (Alberto Dossena own goal). Oh what a calamity! Cagliari give the ball away in their own half and a whipped cross by Yildiz is diverted into his own net by Dossena

• Dossena’s own goal is the first time Cagliari have conceded in the final 15 minutes of a home game this season
• Juventus have now failed to win in six away games – their longest run on the road without a victory since 2010