17 October 2020
Juve came away with just a point from a clash with a brave and determined Crotone side, but there was a feeling of regret after getting back into the game and not clinching all three points. Federico Chiesa was harshly sent off and the visitors spurned at least two fine chances to get the win. Alvaro Morata was denied by the post and then by VAR, with the 1-1 scoreline rewarding the hosts for their endeavour, but it is arguably less than the Bianconeri deserved on the night.
SIMY GIVES CROTONE THE LEAD FROM THE SPOT
In terms of team news, Chiesa made his debut for the Bianconeri, Manolo Portanova and Gianluca Frabotta lined up down the left, and Arthur and Rodrigo Bentancur started together for the first time. Andrea Pirlo’s selection for the clash at the Stadio Ezio Scida was certainly interesting, but there was little chance to analyse it before the hosts got on the front foot and Simy’s effort went just wide. With ten minutes on the clock, the newly promoted side was awarded a penalty when Arkadiusz Reca was brought down in the box by Leonardo Bonucci. Simy sent Gianluigi Buffon the wrong way to score his second goal against Juventus.
CHIESA AND MORATA LINK UP TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY
Juve managed to keep their shape and although Crotone did generate some openings on the counter, the visitors got into their groove and upped the pace as the half wore on. Chiesa was instrumental in the equaliser after running on to a pinpoint through ball by Dejan Kulusevski that he was able to lay off for Morata, who diverted it into the gaping net for the equaliser.
CORDAZ AND BUFFON CALLED INTO ACTION
With the scoreline level, the Bianconeri looked to push on and build on their equaliser, but Crotone’s commitment and bravery made it a challenging contest. Chiesa and Morata caused the Rossoblu problems and just a few minutes before the break, the Spaniard released Portanova, but Cordaz was equal to his effort. Reca’s pace down the left wing was a constant threat, with the Pole whipping in a fine cross that Pedro Pereira met, but his shot was parried by Buffon.
JUVE DOWN TO TEN MEN
Crotone came out aggressively at the start of the second half, pinning Juve back and going close to a second goal when Luca Cigarini took aim from just inside the box, but his effort flew off target. Pirlo responded by bringing on Juan Cuadrado for Portanova, but just five minutes later, Chiesa fouled Cigarini in the middle of the park. While it didn’t seem to be a particularly dangerous challenge, referee Francesco Fourneau deemed it worthy of a red card, leaving the Bianconeri down to ten men.
MORATA DENIED BY POST AND VAR
Having ended up a man light away to Roma before the international break, it was a similar story here as the team managed to play on the front foot despite the numerical disadvantage. Morata’s fine header from Kulusevski’s free-kick hit the inside of the post and a relieved Cordaz was able to gather the ball on the goal-line just after Chiesa’s dismissal. Pirlo then brought on Adrien Rabiot and Federico Bernardeschi for Arthur and Kulusevski in search of the winner, with the Uruguayan picking out Cuadrado in space down the right wing just moments after coming on. The Colombian dribbled into the area and crossed the ball towards Morata, who managed to direct it into the goal, but after a long VAR check, it was chalked off because the Spaniard’s foot was in an offside position. Just a matter of centimetres cost Juventus all three points and although the visitors continued to press for a winner during the seven minutes of stoppage time, in the end the spoils were shared in Calabria.
CROTONE 1-1 JUVENTUS
SCORERS: Simy (pen) 12, Morata 21.
CROTONE
Cordaz; Pedro Pereira (Rispoli 28), Magallan, Marrone, Luperto, Reca; Molina (Petriccione 87), Cigarini, Vulic (Siligardi 73); Messias, Simy.
Subs not used: Festa, Crespi, Cuomo, Golemic, Crociata, Rojas, Eduardo.
Coach: Stroppa.
JUVENTUS
Buffon; Danilo, Bonucci, Demiral; Chiesa, Arthur (Rabiot 69), Bentancur, Frabotta; Kulusevski (Bernardeschi 69), Portanova (Cuadrado 56); Morata.
Subs not used: Szczesny, Pinsoglio, Chiellini, Peeters, Dybala, Vrioni, Rafia.
Coach: Pirlo.
REFEREE: Fourneau.
ASSISTANTS: Lo Cicero, Cecconi.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Pezzuto.
VAR: Abisso, Longo.
BOOKED: Bonucci 11, Cigarini 14, Portanova 37, Kulusevski 45, Rezza 66, Magallan 83.
SENT OFF: Chiesa 60.
