25 February 2024
Daniele Rugani emerged as the hero of a five-goal thriller against Frosinone with a 95th-minute winner. The defender turned home a Dusan Vlahovic cross with practically the last kick of the match.
Vlahovic had struck twice in the first half, first to open the scoring after three minutes, the second to cancel out Frosinone’s advantage on 32 minutes.
The 3-2 success rewarded Juventus with a first win in five matches.
THE MATCH
Juventus were keen to display their intent from kick-off and needed only two and a half minutes to open the scoring. Weston McKennie was picked out on the run down the right wing and his pinpoint cross was turned home by Duscan Vlahovic.
Any thoughts of a stroll in the park on this lunchtime kick-off were quickly dismissed by Frosinone’s response.
The visitors pulled level inside the opening quarter of an hour when Walid Cheddira powered a header beyond Wojciech Szczesny.
Not satisfied with having cancelled out the Juve’s opener, Frosinone pushed on and a lightning quick counter attack orchestrated by Abdou Harroui was finished by Marco Brescianini.
It was the Bianconeri’s turn to react, and that is exactly what they did, but not after Adrien Rabiot had limped off, replaced by Carlos Alcaraz.
Federico Chiesa was involved in the original build-up in the move that led to the game’s fourth goal. Inadvertently the ball rebounded off the winger into the path of Vlahovic whose close-range effort was blocked by Michele Cerofolini.
However, Juve's attack persisted and once again McKennie popped up with the assist for Vlahovic, who drilled home his 15th goal in 22 Serie A appearances so far this campaign.
Just over half an hour on the clock and the score was tied at 2-2.
The game’s fifth goal was more difficult to find, however.
Second-half chances fell to Federico Chiesa and his replacement Kenan Yildiz without testing Cerofolini. With 10 minutes to play the Frosinone goalkeeper was called into action from Manuel Locatelli’s long-range effort.
Two minutes later Weston McKennie injured his shoulder on making a recovery tackle to deny Kaio Jorge a run in on goal.
With time running out, Juventus continued to press, and their endeavour was rewarded.
A second consecutive corner was not dealt with by the visitors, allowing Vlahovic to place a cross to the far post where Daniele Rugani was waiting. With a striker’s poise, the defender drilled his shot low into the bottom corner.
The game’s fifth goal in the fifth minute of stoppage allowed the Bianconeri to enjoy the sweet taste of victory for the first time in February.
JUVENTUS 3-2 FROSINONE (HT: 2-2)
Scorers: 3′ & 32′ Vlahovic, 13′ Cheddira, 27′ Brescianini, 90+5′ Rugani
JUVENTUS: Szczęsny; Gatti (85′ Milik), Bremer, Rugani; Cambiaso, McKennie (85′ Iling Jr), Locatelli, Rabiot (28′ Alcaraz), Kostic (61′ Weah); Vlahovic, Chiesa (61′ Yildiz). Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Daffara, Alex Sandro, Djaló, Miretti, Nicolussi Caviglia, Nonge. Coach: Allegri.
FROSINONE: Cerofolini; Romagnoli, Okoli, Valeri; Lirola (95′ Monterisi), Mazzitelli (85′ Gelli), Brescianini, Harroui (72′ Barrenechea), Zortea; Soulé (85′ Seck), Cheddira (72′ Kaio Jorge). Subs not used: Turati, Frattali, Baez, Reinier, Vural, Garritano, Kvernadze, Ibrahimovic, Ghedjemis. Coach: Di Francesco.
Referee: Rapuano
Bookings: 7′ Bremer, 63′ Valeri, 68′ Cerofolini, 71’ Locatelli
