Juventus played to a thrilling 2-2 draw against Venezia at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, maintaining their unbeaten record yet facing criticism over their growing tally of draws this Serie A season.
The match showcased the Bianconeri's struggles to replicate their UEFA Champions League success on Italian soil. Just days before, Juventus had produced shockwaves by beating Manchester City 2-0, with goals from Dusan Vlahovic and substitute Weston McKennie. This set high hopes among fans and players alike for their matchup against Venezia, who have been battling relegation and struggled with the pressure of playing away.
Right from the start, Juventus made their intentions clear. Federico Gatti opened the scoring, tapping home from close range after Khephren Thuram's header from a corner. This was Gatti's first goal since April, and it provided the early momentum the hosts needed.
Yet, as the first half unfolded, Venezia began to breathe down Juventus' neck. With their backs against the wall, they had to shake off some initial nerves, culminating with Magnus Kofod Andersen hitting the crossbar with a powerful half-volley. Despite their efforts, the Lagunari went to halftime trailing, with the home side’s defense holding firm, at least temporarily.
The second half started with more drama; Kenan Yildiz had what he thought was his goal ruled out for handball. Moments later, Juventus almost doubled their lead when Thuram's long-range effort narrowly missed. But the visitors seized their chance to level the match. Mikael Egill Ellertsson rose to meet Francesco Zampano’s cross, nodding expertly past goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, sending shockwaves through the stadium. How did they manage to pull this off?
Having tied the match, Venezia capitalized on their momentum. A swift attack led to Jay Idzes glancing home from Hans Nicolussi Caviglia's pinpoint free-kick, pushing Juventus to the brink of defeat. Fans feared their team might once again squander two points after holding the lead.
Yet, the hosts managed to salvage pride and continue their unbeaten streak with Dusan Vlahovic stepping up where it mattered most. A handball by Antonio Candela came at the most opportune time for Juventus, setting up Vlahovic for the penalty kick. The star striker coolly converted the spot-kick deep in stoppage time, igniting celebrations among Juve supporters and preserving the team’s unbeaten record.
After the match, the statistics reflected the challenges Juventus faced. They have drawn 20 games already this calendar year, which is recorded as the most for them in any single season since joining Serie A. Remarkably, Juventus remains, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, one of only two teams still unbeaten across Europe’s top five leagues.
Khephren Thuram, pulling strings in midfield, noted the persistent difficulties Juventus has faced. “It's about finding our rhythm,” he expressed after the game. “We need to be more decisive, especially when we’re leading.” This sentiment resonates, especially as Juventus heads toward the next phase of their season, aiming to convert drawn matches to wins and climb higher toward the league's top spots.
Meanwhile, Venezia's coach Eusebio Di Francesco faces mounting pressure, especially after leading his team to only one point from two recent matches where they looked poised for victories. After the draw, Di Francesco remarked, “It's important not to lose, but we must also learn to win.” The team remains anchored at the bottom of the table, still seeking their first away victory since promotion.
Juventus will now refocus as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures, hoping to leverage the momentum gained from Vlahovic’s late heroics. With players like Weston McKennie and Tim Weah stepping up during this congested fixture timeline, the Bianconeri have reason to believe they can turn the tide of their Serie A form.
Overall, the match against Venezia underlines not just the unpredictability of Serie A but also the challenges each team faces as they navigate their unique battles. Juventus must convert their approach soon or risk getting entangled even more deeply within the maze of drawn outcomes, which could cost them dearly come the end of the season.
