Lucky Juve survives Verona

Verona could have kept all three points at their Bentegodi Stadium given they were a much stronger side in the final 25 minutes of the duel against favored Juventus. Final score 1-1 as Juve slowly but surely says goodbye to their hopes for the 10th title in a row.

Verona had the right to be hopeful since they managed to win three consecutive home matches before this one. Additionally, Verona have beaten Juventus at home in two of the last three encounters. As far as Juve went, none of their last nine consecutive Scudetto-winning seasons have seen them register less than their 45 points at this stage and they were looking a bit nervous lately. Before this match, Juventus have lost just three times on the road this season. A good start to the match was crucial for the guests.

Chances all over from the get-go. Visitors, as expected, opened the game strong. Ramsey was immediately dangerous - the Welshman sprinted in the 2nd minute and surprise Verona's defense: his left-footed shot towards the near post was deflected by talented goalkeeper Silvestri. Two minutes later it was a chance for De Ligt - The Bianconeri threatened from a set-piece: a nice cross invited the Dutchman to try with a header, but his shot lacked intensity to worry the goalkeeper. It was a great start to the match at Bentegodi Stadium.

The home team responded right away - an aerial attempt in the 7th minute, courtesy of Faraoni, came after corner kick cross and the ball hit the post after Szczesny had to intervene. Only Milan (15) have hit more woodwork than Verona (14) in Serie A this season. In the 15th minute, a nice move by Kulusevski made it possible for Rabiot to try a powerful first-time volley towards goal, but the ball went well wide of the left post.

After an explosive start, tempo died down. It was an equal game, opposed to what most expected. In the 25th minute, a long pass found Cristiano Ronaldo unmarked, he looked up and hit a disappointing shot from mid-range which drifted well wide of the left sidebar. Last 20 minutes of the first half passed in half chances and attempts which did not frighten the goalkeepers much.

What everyone expected, started with the opening of the second half. It must have been that Cristiano Ronaldo heard the news that Messi scored today and the Portuguese simply couldn't resist but to respond in the same manner. In the 49th minute, Federico Chiesa fed Cristiano Ronaldo inside the box, who was unmarked and buried the ball in the bottom left corner to make it 0-1. Ronaldo's 47th goal in his last 47 Serie A matches.

The situation on the pitch went back to the one during the closing minutes of the first half. Juve had the possession, backline and the midfielders exchanged passes for minutes, looked for open channels to send the ball to Ronaldo or Chiesa while Verona's players defended without even thinking about attacking Juve's final third.

Really not much going on but then the home team switched to attack mode. A shocking surprise happened to the Turin favourites in the 78th minute. Darko Lazovic sent a long raking pass onto the head of Antonin Barak, who made no mistake from close in and sent the ball into the net. His jump was too much for Juve's defence. It was the 20th goal Juventus conceded this season in Serie A.

Verona continued operating on that left flank via Lazovic but Juve seemed confused in their desire to take all three points to Turin. After the equalizer, Verona was a much better team. Serbian winger Lazovic created a good chance for himself and went for goal from mid-range, but he failed to change the score as his effort deflected off the bar in the 86th minute.

After failing to win, Juve now trails behind their rivals from Milan, 7 points behind leaders Inter and 3 points behind second-placed Milan, respectively. Verona's surprisingly stable season is embodied in their 9th place on the table after a huge point against the Old Lady of Turin.

SERIE A - Round 24

Saturday

Specia - Parma 2-2 (0-2)

/Gyasi 52', 72' - Karamoh 17', Hermani 25;/

Bologna - Lazio

/Mbaye 19', Sansone 64'/

Verona - Juventus 1-1 (0-0)

/Barak 77' - Ronaldo 49'/

POSTPONED Torino - Sassuolo

Sunday

14.30 Sampdoria - Atalanta

17.00 Udinese - Fiorentina

17.00 Crotone - Cagliari

17.00 Inter - Genoa

20.00 Napoli - Benevento

22.45 Roma - Milan