Juventus 2-2 Lazio: Wasteful Aquile Squander Two-Goal Lead in Chaotic Clash | OneFootball

Lazio were seconds away from earning a famous victory over Juventus in Turin, but they couldn’t cling on to their lead.

Juventus & Lazio Starting Lineup

Luciano Spalletti opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, led by Jonathan David, with Andrea Cambiaso, Weston McKennie, and Kenan Yildiz acting as his supporting crew. Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram started in the double pivot, while Teun Koopmeiners filled in for the physically-struggling Lloyd Kelly at the back.

On the other hand, Maurizio Sarri kept his starting lineup almost intact. He only made one mandatory change, replacing the suspended Luca Pellegrini with Nuno Tavares, who joined Adam Marusic, Mario Gila and Oliver Provstgaard at the back. Danilo Cataldi played between Toma Basic and Kenneth Taylor in midfield, while Daniel Maldini acted as a striker, flanked by Gustav Isaksen and Pedro.

Dominant Juventus Waste Their First-Half Chances

The Bianconeri were undoubtedly the better side in the first half, dominating possession and creating a flurry of chances. Pierre Kalulu’s cross was met by Gleison Bremer’s powerful header, but Ivan Provedel produced a solid save. Juventus then managed to score through a long-range effort from Koopmeiners, but it was ruled out for an offside on Thuram, who stood in front of goal.

Pedro Stuns the Allianz

With one minute left before the half-time whistle, Lazio managed to score with their only real chance of the first period. Maldini was able to pick Locatelli’s pocket before freeing up Pedro. The veteran’s shot deflected off Bremer’s leg, wrong-footing the helpless Michele Di Gregorio.

Gustav Isaksen Doubles Lazio’s Lead

After the interval, the Biancocelesti picked up from where they left off, harrying Juventus with a blistering counter-attack to open a two-goal lead. Cataldi found Isaksen with a sublime long ball. The Dane outpaced Cambiaso before beating Di Gregorio with a riffling shot that almost tore the roof of the goal.

Weston McKennie Halves the Deficit

Lazio had the opportunity to kill the game with a third goal, but Fisayo Dele-Bashiru failed to connect properly with the ball. This allowed Juventus to stay in the game, and shortly afterwards, they pulled one back through McKennie, who received an exquisite cross from Cambiaso. The American’s header bounced off the post before entering the goal.

Lazio Fail to Land the Killer Blow

The Biancocelesti continued to harry Juventus on the counter, but they scuppered another two glorious chances through Taylor and Tijjani Noslin. For their part, the Bianconeri went all-in in their vigorous search for an equalizer, but Yildiz was denied on several occasions by the superb Provedel.

Pierre Kalulu Saves the Day for Juventus

Nevertheless, the Lazio goalkeeper could do little about Kalulu’s 96th-minute header. Jeremie Boga picked up the unmarked Frenchman with a delicate cross, and the latter only had to nod it home to salvage a draw for the home side.

In the end, the two clubs shared the spoils after an entertaining clash. While neither side seemed too thrilled with the point, a defeat would have been a harsh result for either one.

Juventus 2-2 Lazio

Goals: 47′ Pedro (L), 47′ Isaken (L), 59′ McKennie (J), 96′ Kalulu (J)

Juventus (4-2-3-1) : Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Koopmeiners (76′ Kelly), Cabal (46′ Zeghrova); Locatelli (84′ Miretti), Thuram; Cambiaso (76′ Boga); McKennie (84′ Openda), Yildiz; David. 

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila (77′ Romagnoli), Provstgaard (83′ Patric), Nuno Tavares; Basic (46′ Dele-Bashiru), Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen (64′ Cancellieri), Maldini, Pedro (64′ Noslin). 

Referee: Guida (Torre Annunziata section); Linesmen: Peretti – Bindoni; 4th Official: Marchetti; VAR: Mazzoleni; AVAR : Maresca

Yellow Cards: 33′ Taylor (L), 81′ Romagnoli (L)