30 October 2021
Giovanni Simeone won the game for Hellas Verona with two goals inside the first quarter of an hour – an easy tap-in and a wonder strike which proved too much for Juve to come back from.
The hosts produced an outstanding performance, playing with grit and determination to defend their lead. Paulo Dybala hit the bar before the interval and the Bianconeri gave it everything in the second half, pulling one back through Weston McKennie ten minutes from time, but couldn't find a second despite a late onslaught.
SIMEONE'S FAMOUS 15 MINUTES
With both teams pressing high, it made for a chaotic start to the game. Indeed the first two chances came from balls won in the opposition half, one for each side. First Wojciech Szczesny was alert to Darko Lazovic's near-post effort then Dybala's low cross into the six-yard box generated panic among the Verona rearguard, but the ball was nicked away from Alvaro Morata at the last minute.
The hosts cranked up the pressure and when Arthur mishit a poor backpass Antonin Barak latched onto it and fired across goal; Szczesny saved but it fell for Simeone, who was left with the simple task of turning into an empty net.
The goal only made El Cholito hungry for more and three minutes later he collected the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner. Less than 15 minutes on the clock and Verona were already two up.
DYBALA HITS THE BAR
Juve tried to fight back and within minutes Dybala had an opportunity but couldn't get his effort on target.
Verona continued to play at a high tempo, staying compact when not in possession and constantly harrying the Juve ball carrier, making it hard for the Bianconeri to string moves together
Juve did manage to threaten when Dybala and Morata were able to link up and one such exchange led to a fierce shot from the Argentine that came to nothing.
The problem was the Bianconeri forwards were often receiving the ball back to goal, making it difficult to get away from their marker and find space.
Massimiliano Allegri tried switching to a three-man backline, pushing Alex Sandro forward to exploit the width better and it almost reaped dividends on the stroke of half time when Dybala collected Morata's pass – only to see his finish come off the bar.
MCKENNIE ROCKET
La Joya tried again soon after the restart but this time was off target. The game was now being played at a slightly slower pace and Juve were able to hold a higher line, partly thanks to better off-the-ball movement.
Allegri replaced Rodrigo Bentancur and Adrien Rabiot with Manuel Locatelli and McKennie and the American's first touch was a close-range effort brilliantly saved by Lorenzo Montipo.
Verona battened down the hatches and played on the counter, while Juve threw on Dejan Kulusevski and Federico Bernardeschi for Juan Cuadrado and Arthur.
Then, just when when Gialloblu seemed to be in the ascendancy again, Juve got the goal they were after. Danilo picked out McKennie and the American smashed home beneath the bar.
LATE ONSLAUGHT NOT ENOUGH
Allegri made his final change, bringing on Luca Pellegrini for Alex Sandro, while Verona goalscorer Simeone made way for Nikola Kalinic, who very nearly made it 3-1 with a low shot that ran just wide.
Juve moved into top gear for the final minutes and pegged the hosts back into their area. Dybala drew another fabulous save out of Montipo but that proved to be the final chance as Verona held on to claim the three points.
Juve return to Turin empty-handed after a second defeat in a matter of days and will now turn their attentions to next Tuesday's Champions League clash with Zenit.
VERONA 2-1 JUVENTUS (HT 2-0)
SCORERS: Simeone 11, 14, McKennie 80.
VERONA
Montipo; Dawidowicz, Gunter, Casale (Ceccherini 67); Faraoni, Tameze (Bessa 75), Veloso, Lazovic (Sutalo 67); Barak, Caprari; Simeone (Kalinic 83).
Subs not used: Pandur, Berardi, Cetin, Magnani, Cancellieri, Ruegg, Hongla, Lasagna
Coach: Tudor.
JUVENTUS
Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro (Pellegrini 82); Cuadrado (Kulusevski 69), Bentancur (McKennie 58), Arthur (Bernardeschi 69), Rabiot (Locatelli 57); Dybala, Morata.
Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Perin, De Ligt, Kaio Jorge.
Coach: Allegri.
REFEREE: Marinelli.
ASSISTANTS: Margani, Scatragli.
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Cosso.
VAR: Valeri, Valeriani.
BOOKED: Lazovic 26, Danilo 29, Casale 57, Faraoni 61, Arthur 61, Gunter 76, Morata 76.
