Juventus prevail in a crazy affair

 

There is no option other than winning the remaining matches for Juventus. Otherwise, the outcome would be disastrous for Andrea Pirlo and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. After losing the race for the Italian Serie A title, featuring in the Europa League would never be welcomed by the fans of Juve and thus, the encounter against Inter at Turin was like a do-or-die affair.

The title might have been wrapped up for Inter, but no sign of complacency was expected from the Nerazzurri, whose nine-year Scudetto run was ended by the man who begun it; Antonio Conte. His side certainly hasn’t let complacency sink in despite anything to play for, beating Sampdoria 5-1 last week before a 3-1 thrashing of Roma on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, it was now or never for Juventus’ Champions League hopes, as Andrea Pirlo’s side would almost surely have to win both of their last two fixtures to give themselves a shot at qualifying for Europe’s elite competition, as they sit one point back of Napoli and three behind Milan.

A convincing 3-1 win over Sassuolo in midweek is sure to buoy the side’s confidence, though it did little for their league standing as the Rossoneri, Atalanta, and Napoli all notched victories as well.

Inter’s last win away from home against Juventus in Serie A was back in November 2012.

Inter looked comfortable in possession, knocked the ball around from left to right and front to back without much concern.

 Conte’s formation with five in midfield was not giving Juve any breathing space as the middle of the park is packed with bodies.

Juve tried to exploit the flank as Danilo’s cross was met at the back post by Chiesa, who nodded it across the face of goal. Kulusevski was there to turn it towards goal, but Inter was alert to avoid it.

A Juve corner kick taken by Cuadrado led to chaos inside the Inter penalty area where Chiellini was brought down by Darmian. Juve appealed for a penalty and the referee pointed towards the spot-kick.

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert from the penalty spot after great diving save from Handanovic, but the forward did well to follow the rebound and tuck it home at the second time of asking.

After ten minutes, Lautaro Martinez went down inside the penalty area off the ball, and after a VAR review, it appeared that De Ligt caught the heel of Martinez - sending him to the turf.

Romelu Lukaku leveled from the penalty spot.

At the stoppage time of the first half, Kulusevski’s attempted pullback for Ronaldo who received a slight deflection that put it at the edge of the penalty spot for the full-back, who ran onto it and smashed a shot into the roof of the net.

Inter ended the first half trailing by 2-1.

In the second half, the game was a crazy affair.

Both the teams played with the intensity to win.

After the break, Christien Eriksen discovered Martinez inside the penalty area, and the striker was able to take a touch to set before curling a wicked effort to the far corner between two defenders. It was a wonderful hit but the target was missed by a whisker.

A few minutes Juventus were down to 10-men as Bentacur was sent off!

Pirlo made a substitution immediately, looking to solidify his midfield.

Kulusevski was the man to make way for McKennie.

Pirlo was operating with a 4-4-1 formation.

With down to 10 men with 20 minutes to go, Pirlo was looking to inject some fresh legs into his side. Morata was the man chosen to come on and Ronaldo was substituted.

In such a critical juncture of the match, such a decision was nothing but a gamble.

Perhaps, Morata’s agility and defensive qualities let Pirlo take the decision.

The decision to inject Demiral and substitute Chiesa was another move that hinted at solidifying the defensive sector of Juve.

The game was changing its colour with each passing minute with the ball moving from right to left and left to right as if a basketball match was going on.

Lukaku got into the six-yard box locked in a duel with Chiellini, who turned the ball underneath Szczesny and into the back of his own net! 

The referee blew his whistle immediately for a foul on the Inter striker - but after a VAR intervention, it appeared that Lukaku was not grabbing his opponent's shirt and the goal is allowed to stand.

Chiellini was shown a yellow card for arguing with the referee.

4 minutes later, Juventus were awarded another penalty.

The Bianconeri took the kick-off and advanced straight back up the pitch down the right.

Cuadrado got into the penalty area and flashes his quick feet before going over due to a clumsy Perisic tackle.

It was the third spot-kick of the match and Cuadrado shot flawlessly to give Juve the lead and the three points.

Three yellow cards and two penalties in the first half were met by an equally stunning second frame which saw six yellow cards, two sending-offs, a Chiellini own goal allowed after VAR intervention, and then the late winner from the penalty spot.

At Turin, in a crazy match, Juventus prevailed.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 15/05/2021 Juventus prevail in a crazy affair

Thank You

Faisal Caesar