Juventus avoided an embarrassing home defeat to rock-bottom US Salernitana after Adrien Rabiot’s last-gasp strike salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Bianconeri. Despite their desperate need for a morale-boosting win, Juventus struggled to find their rhythm against their already-relegated opponents.
Salernitana Take the Lead
The opening stages of the match were frustrating for Massimiliano Allegri’s side, with Dušan Vlahović missing a golden opportunity to put Juventus in front. Encouraged by the disjointed start from the hosts, Salernitana took advantage and opened the scoring through Niccolò Pierozzi’s header from Junior Samba’s delivery.
Juventus looked shell-shocked by the goal, and Salernitana came close to doubling their advantage with Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi’s effort, which was saved by Wojciech Szczęsny. The hosts desperately tried to regain composure and find a way back into the game before halftime, but Andrea Cambiaso’s powerful strike hit the woodwork, leaving Salernitana with a deserved lead at the break.
Juventus’ Fightback
Allegri made changes at halftime, bringing on Federico Chiesa and Samuel Iling-Junior, injecting urgency into Juventus’ attack. Vlahović missed another chance, and Chiesa’s goalbound effort was superbly blocked. The Bianconeri continued to dominate the game, with Vincenzo Fiorillo making brilliant saves to deny Arkadiusz Milik’s header.
The Salernitana goal was living a charmed life, and Juventus came agonizingly close to equalizing when Fabio Miretti’s strike crashed against the underside of the crossbar in the final minute of regular time. However, the hosts finally found the net in stoppage time as Rabiot tapped in at the back post from Manuel Locatelli’s superb delivery, securing a fifth consecutive draw for Allegri’s men.
Salernitana’s Struggles Continue
On the other hand, Salernitana’s winless streak across all competitions extends to 19 matches, as they continue to wait for their first victory in 2024. The draw against Juventus offers little consolation for a team already facing relegation.
Despite salvaging a draw, Juventus’ performance raises concerns about their form, with just three wins from their last 17 competitive matches. Allegri will need to address the team’s disjointed start and lack of composure if they are to turn their fortunes around. The Bianconeri must find a way to convert their dominance into victories and regain their winning mentality.
As for Salernitana, they will need to regroup and find a way to end their winless streak. Relegation may have already been confirmed, but finishing the season on a positive note will be crucial for the team’s morale and future prospects.
Overall, the draw between Juventus and Salernitana highlights the challenges both teams face. Juventus must find a way to regain their winning form, while Salernitana must strive to end their winless streak. The result serves as a reminder that in football, anything can happen, and every team has the potential to cause an upset.
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