Wed10162024

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Juve drop first points in Serie A

Simone Zaza and Sassuolo pegged Juventus back to a 1-1 draw despite Paul Pogba’s wonder-strike, so Roma are just one point behind.

The Bianconeri still had a 100 per cent record and a three-point lead going into the Mapei Stadium after a controversial 3-2 victory over Roma. Alvaro Morata was suspended with Martin Caceres, Andrea Barzagli, Romulo, Luca Marrone and Arturo Vidal injured. Sassuolo changed to a 3-4-3 system with Simone Zaza and Domenico Berardi, both semi-owned by Juve, but Federico Peluso sat out a ban.

There was bad news for the Neroverdi straight away, as Paolo Cannavaro pulled up with a suspected thigh strain.

Andrea Consigli parried from point-blank range on Fernando Llorente and the Roberto Pereyra follow-up was deflected over, then from the corner Leonardo Bonucci had the ball in the net only after he was flagged offside.

However, moments later Sassuolo took the lead. Bonucci performed a decisive goalline clearance on Zaza, but the move continued with Alessandro Longhi and the striker eventually fired in from eight yards. That was only the third goal Juve had conceded in Serie A all season and Zaza’s first since the opening round.

Juventus drew level with some style, as Carlos Tevez ran at the Sassuolo defence and Paul Pogba curled a magnificent finish into the far top corner, breaking his duck for the current campaign.

Angelo Ogbonna blasted over from a corner, then Stefan Lichtsteiner ran on to an Andrea Pirlo through ball to sting Consigli’s gloves. Consigli needed a double save as Pogba went on a slalom through the Sassuolo defence from his own half, then got back up to parry the acrobatic Tevez follow-up.

After the restart Berardi’s free kick whistled inches past the upright, while Buffon had to rush off his line to clear from Zaza and had his gloves stung by the young Italy striker. Claudio Marchisio came off the bench as Juve moved to a 4-3-3 system with Ogbonna at left-back.

Kingsley Coman turned over from a promising position, then Consigli again denied Pogba after a strong Tevez run. Zaza sprinted on to a smart Davide Biondini through ball in the final minutes, but was exhausted and ran out of steam before he could shoot.

Roberto Pereyra's shot was charged down deep into stoppages, but Sassuolo held firm and Simone Padoin was sent off from the bench for dissent.