13 January 2021
Juventus had to wait until the 105th minute to secure a 3-2 victory over Genoa in the Italian Cup and qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament, following a draw at full time at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday evening, after Czyborra and Melegoni cancelled out the Bianconeri’s two-goal lead courtesy of goals from Kulusevski and Morata.
KULU & MORATA STRIKE
Coach Pirlo opted for a never-before-seen line-up, as he made nine changes to the starting XI that took on Sassuolo. The formation seemingly caught Genoa unaware, and Juventus took the lead as early as the second minute of play through Kulusevski, who fired home from Chiellini’s excellently placed pass. It was one-way traffic for the Bianconeri, whose main point of threat was Kulusevski, and he quickly turned assist provider when he fed a great ball to Morata, who fired it past the goalkeeper.
GENOA PULL ONE BACK
Genoa did pull one back in the 28th minute when Czyborra found space in the box and turned home a diving header from Goldaniga’s cross. The game had an exciting ebb and flow to it, and Arthur saw his goal ruled out after Morata, who had fired in from Kulusevski’s rebounded shot, was deemed to be offside at the start of the movement. A second offside goal was ruled out on the brink of half time after Portanova sliced an angled ball into the net, but the flag was raised.
MELEGONI SENDS GAME INTO EXTRA TIME
Rabiot was brought on for Bentancur at the start of the half, while Morata had his dangerous effort beaten away at the near post by Paleari. Pjaca was then denied by the crossbar after he saw his ferocious strike rattle the woodwork, while Bonucci and Danilo replaced Chiellini and Demiral respectively. Genoa drew level at 2-2 through a stunning goal by Melegoni, who received the ball on the edge of the box and curled it past Buffon.
RAFIA WINS IT IN EXTRA TIME
With extra-time seemingly imminent, Ronaldo was introduced into the game in the 87th minute, but he couldn’t change the outcome before the full-time whistle blew. Morata came agonizingly close to putting the Bianconeri back in front when his shot at the near post was saved, while Rabiot saw his glancing header saved on the line by Paleari. It was all Juventus in the opening half of extra time and they retook the lead in the 105th minute, when Morata teed up Rafia, whose shot took a deflection and bounced into the back of the net. Genoa’s best chance to send the game to penalties came when Radovanovic had his glancing header brilliantly cleared off the line by Arthur, while Kulusevski saw his ferocious effort palmed over the bar by Paleari.
Juventus XI | Buffon; Demiral (Danilo 64’), Dragusin, Chiellini (Bonucci 64’), Bernardeschi; Wesley, Arthur, Bentancur (Rabiot 46’) Portanova (Rafia 77’); Kulusevski, Morata
Subs | Szczesny, Pinsoglio, Danilo, Bonucci, Frabotta, Capellini, Ramsey, Rabiot, Ranocchia, Ronaldo, Rafia, Felix Correia.
Genoa XI | Paleari; Goldaniga, Bani, Dumbravanu; Ghiglione, Lerager, Rovella, Melegoni, Czyborra; Pjaca, Scamacca
