Coach Thiago Motta had said it in his press conference on the eve of the match: Stuttgart want to attack and keep the ball. The match at the Allianz Stadium started just like that: in the first 10 minutes it was the Germans who controlled possession, attacking at such a pace that they initially put the Bianconeri defence on the back foot and managed a few shots on goal, though those efforts were not particularly threatening.
JUVE GET TO GRIPS WITH THE GAME
It took Juve a few minutes to get the measure of their opponents and push higher up the pitch, and when they did, the game evened out. Francisco Conceicao posed a threat with his speed down the right wing, whilst Nicolo Fagioli and Khephren Thuram (who was chosen to start at the last minute due to a muscular injury suffered by Douglas Luiz) made up the midfield partnership.
Juve came close to scoring through Fagioli's free-kick in the 21st minute, but the Germans continued to put their game plan into action at the other end, and Mattia Perin was called into action on multiple occasions to thwart Stuttgart’s attacking efforts, and in the 29th minute he made an excellent save to push Ermedin Demirovic's shot onto the post.
SUPER PERIN IN THE SECOND HALF
It was a tough, hard-fought match, which was exhausting for those involved: and they began to tire again in the second half, especially when after just a few minutes Stuttgart thought they had taken the lead through a great strike by Deniz Undav, however- according to VAR – he had controlled the ball with his arm and the goal was chalked off for handball. Stuttgart continued to cause problems, and Juve managed to hang on, hugely thanks to a super performance by Perin, who brilliantly denied Demirovic and Enzo Millot in the space of a few minutes. Then Juve, thanks in part to the introduction of some fresh legs, regrouped and began to cause some problems for the Stuttgart defence.
In what was perhaps during the Bianconeri's best period of the game when they were suddnenly rocked: the referee was instructed to consult VAR after a clash involving Danilo and consequently awarded the German side a penalty and issued a second yellow to the Brazilian defender. Millot stepped up to take the penalty, but Perin’s excellent showing continued, and he made an incredible save to deny the spot kick.
THE DECISIVE MOMENT
The crowd roared on the Bianconeri, and Juve even tried to push to find a winner even though they were down to ten men. Then another, more decisive, heart sinking moment arrived: El Bilal Tourè did very well on the edge of the box to split the Bianconeri defence and then fire past Perin.
It would be the match-winning goal.
JUVENTUS 0-1 STUTTGART
Allianz Stadium, Tuesday 22 October, 2024 at 21:00 (CEST)
Goals: 90+2’ Toure (S)
Juventus: Perin, Savona (55’ Cambiaso), Kalulu, Danilo, Cabal, McKennie (55’ Locatelli), Fagioli, Thuram (90’ Rouhi), Conceicao (55’ Weah), Vlahovic (68 Adzic), Yildiz.
Unused Substitutes: Gatti, Pinsoglio, Daffara, Mbangula.
Coach: Thiago Motta.
Stuttgart: Nubel, Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt (90+7 Chase), Stiller, Karazor, Millot, Undav (74’ Rieder), Leweling, Demirovic (62’ Toure).
Unused Substitutes: Bredlow, Al-Dakhil, Keitel, Kratzig, Stenzel, Seimen, Malanga.
Coach: Sebastian Hoeness.
Referee: Espen Eskas
Assistants: Erik Engan, Isaak Bashevkin
Fourth Official: Kristoffer Hagenes
Bookings: 51’ Demirovic (S), 54’ Rouault (S), 81’ Danilo (J)
Red Cards: 84’ Danilo (J) – Second yellow card
Next Match:
Inter-Juventus
Serie A – Matchday Nine
Sunday 27 October, 2024 at 18:00 (CEST)
San Siro