There Juventus wastes another match point to arithmetically secure qualification for the next Champions League. On the 36th matchday of Serie A the team of In fact, Allegri did not go beyond the 1-1 draw against already relegated Salernitana and waits for the result of Atalanta-Roma. At the Allianz Stadium in the first half a shot by Vlahovic it is printed on the crossbar, then Pierozzi (27′) breaks the deadlock with a header and a left foot Cambiaso hits the pole. In the second half the Juventus reacts, increases the revs and after a cross of Miretti evens the score in recovery with Rabiot (ninety two’). Then in the finale Basic the blow of the sensational knockout is devoured.
THE MATCH
After four draws in a row and with Chiesa and Yildiz not at their best, against Salernitana Allegri relies on the heavy artillery up front and places Vlahovic and Kean at the center of the attack. Dealing with many absences and with nothing left to lose in the championship, Colantuono instead builds density in the midfield and bets everything on the mobility of Vignato and Tchaouna behind Ikwuemesi.
Choices that give Juve more physicality, but which at the start are not enough to break through the Granata organisation. Slow in turning the ball around, Allegri’s gang struggled to build with precision vertically, suffered from Basic & Co’s central incursions and relied on individual plays to try to invent something between the lines. On one side Bremer closes on Vignato and Szczesny blocks a central shot from Pierozzi, on the other Fiorillo deflects Vlahovic’s left-footed shot from the edge onto the crossbar.
An opportunity that gives Juve more confidence and raises the Juventus center of gravity, but which does not change the tactical theme of the match at all. On the contrary. Cumbersome in midfield and lacking clarity in maneuvering in width, Juve trots in the build-up, messes up in possession and when they have to defend, gives too much space to the Granata.
So following a corner Pierozzi jumps alone into the area and beats Szczesny with his head, breaking the deadlock. A gored shot that freezes the Stadium, stretches the teams and lights up the match. Sambia tries with a free kick, then Bremer comes close to equalizing with a great right-footed shot from far away, Szczesny stops Ikwuemesi who launches towards the net and Cambiaso’s left-footed shot chips the post. Flashes that increase the pace of the game and the intensity of the clashes, but which are not enough to save Juve from booing when they return to the locker room.
SECOND HALF
The second half began with Miretti, Iling-Junior and Chiesa coming onto the pitch in place of McKennie, Kostic and Kean and with Juve trying to increase their turns to the left and attack the space with more ferocity. After the green light from VAR following a touch in the area from Rabiot’s hand, Tchaouna closed well on Miretti, then Vlahovic wasted a great assist from Chiesa and Pirola rejected a dangerous situation on the initiative of Cambiaso.
Under pressure, Juve pushes and looks for the wingers. Charged and inspired, Chiesa varies across the entire offensive front and plays the charge. A header from Gatti ends up high, then Vlahovic and Bremer fail to find the ball when they dive from Cambiaso’s cross. On the one hand Kastanos takes the place of Ikwuemesi, on the other Allegri instead goes all-in by bringing in Milik and Yildiz in place of Vlahovic and Rugani. Tall and offensive, the Bianconeri insist on one-on-ones, speed up the tempo and attack with many men.
Milik, Chiesa and Yildiz challenge Fiorillo, then Miretti misses the target on a cross from Iling-Junior and a right-footed shot from Legowski ends up over the crossbar. Occasions that light up the match and ignite the finale. Hunting for an equalizer, Allegri’s band attacked with their heads down in the final minutes and equalized in injury time with Rabiot after a backheel from Locatelli. A flash that blows away all the patterns and transforms the ending into a continuous back-and-forth. On the one hand the last to give up is Miretti, on the other hand Basic devours the knockout blow on the counterattack in front of Szczesny. Juve saves themselves at the last minute and waits for Atalanta-Roma.
JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani (31′ st Yildiz); Cambiaso, McKennie (1′ st Miretti), Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic (1′ st Iling Jr); Kean (1′ st Chiesa), Vlahovic (31′ st Milik). Available: Perin, Pinsoglio, Djalò, Nicolussi Caviglia, Alcaraz. Coach: Allegri.
SALERNITANA (3-4-2-1): Fiorillo; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pirola; Zanoli (45′ st Pasalidis), Coulibaly, Basic, Sambia (45′ st Pellegrino); Tchaouna, Vignato (20′ st Legowski); Ikwuemesi (28′ st Kastanos). Available: Costil, Salvati, Ferrari, Sfait, Di Vico, Simy, Weissman. Coach: Colantuono.
REFEREE: Santoro from Messina – assistants: Zingarelli and Bahri – Fourth man: Sacchi. Var: Mazzoleni/Avar: Nasca.
NETWORKS: 27′ st Pierozzi (S), 47′ st Rabiot (J)
NOTE. Booked: Vlahovic (J), Rabiot (J), Zanoli (S), Sambia (S), Fiorillo (S), Pasalidis (S). Corners: 9-4. Recovery time: 4′ pt – 6′ st
