Since the start of the season, Juventus has only tasted victory in all competitions. The Old Lady was keen to continue this series this Saturday against Genoa (9th day of Serie A). But despite a good Cristiano Ronaldo, the Turinese formation was hooked (1-1).
Ten out of ten. Since the beginning of the season, Juventus has been on a small cloud, with ten victories recorded in all competitions combined in as many matches. An incredible series that the Old Lady wanted to continue this Saturday with the reception of Genoa as part of the ninth day of Serie A. for its part, the Genoese team remained on a defeat against Parma (1-3), with results in sharp teeth since early August. For this match at Juventus Stadium, Massimiliano Allegri kept his 4-3-3 with two changes made in relation to the match against Udinese. Dybala left his place at Cuadrado while Chiellini was replaced by Benatia. Opposite, Ivan Juric lined up a 3-4-3 with the Polish star Piatek attacking.
On the pitch, the Bianconeri tried to put their foot on the ball in a small observation round of about ten minutes. Until the Cristiano Ronaldo machine started. After a first shot blocked by the opposing defense (10th), the Portuguese international found the post a few minutes later. Served by Cuadrado, CR7 placed a head that ran aground on the amount of Radu (14′). But to force her to push, Juve’s new recruit found a loophole. Following a deflected shot from Cancelo, Radu was missing his intervention and Piatek could not avert the danger at the second post. A mistake that benefited Ronaldo, who had only to push the leather to the bottom of the Nets (18th, 1-0). A goal that made him a little bit more part of the story. And the Portuguese did not stop there, forcing Radu to make a parade (23rd). Faced with the assaults of Juve and especially of CR7, the men of Ivran Juric could not create the danger. Once again Ronaldo tried his luck, this time without success (35′), before the break.
Daniel Bessa is cooling the Juve !
Upon returning from the dressing rooms, the two coaches kept the same teams, and visitors got their first opportunity at the 53rd minute. Benatia misjudged the danger and the ball fell on Piatek. The Polish striker made a good shot as Szczesny stepped out of the left hand. He returned to the charge behind but his head was too crossed (56′). In an attempt to escape, Massimiliano Allegri threw Douglas Costa, back from suspension, instead of Cuadrado (59′), but the Old Lady was caught in the back. Koumaé tore up on the right side to avoid a corner and focused on Bessa. Completely forgotten by the Turinese defence, the 22-year-old equalized head-on, scoring his first goal of the season (67′, 1-1). The reaction of the Italian champions was not long in coming and Ronaldo, again, tried his luck with his head on a favor from Alex Sandro (69′). Seeing his team without a solution, Allegri had Matuidi come out to bring in Dybala, a very offensive choice (71′). And the Argentinean quickly distinguished itself with an attempt too crossed (76′).
On the Genoese side, Ivan Juric replaced Pereira with Gunter (79′), while for the last change in Turin, Bernardeschi took the place of Mandzukic (81′), after an interesting breakthrough by Douglas Costa. The Bianconeri were still pushing but couldn’t find the solution at all, and the Croatian Genoa coach was making two other changes to save a little time (Bessa replaced by Hiljemark at 82nd, Pandev replaced Kouamé, 85th). Curled up in defense, the visitors trembled but did not flinch in the last moments, playing even a few contres to go up the field and gain precious seconds. And after four minutes of extra time, both teams left back to back. The Ten-game winning streak of the Juventus ended with a 1-1 draw against Genoa, which created the feat of taking the Old Lady a point first. Massimiliano Allegri’s squad will try to restart the beautiful machine on Tuesday at Old Trafford against Manchester United. A very special meeting for CR7 that will find one of its former public.